Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

I'll be brief in my comments here, to try to make sure that those who have different views on this motion have a chance to speak, given the time-limited nature of the debate. I move the motion in the terms in which it appears on the Notice Paper:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following proceedings at the conclusion of the Matter of Public Importance today:

(1) a Minister presenting documents pursuant to the Migration Act 1958, then immediately moving a motion in relation to the instrument of designation of the Republic of Nauru as a regional processing country;

(a) including the Minister's speech, debate continuing for no longer than one hour, at which time any questions necessary to complete consideration of the matter being put without delay; and

(b) if required by a Minister before the expiration of time allocated, debate on any question provided for under paragraph (1)(a) being extended for a further period specified by the Minister,

(2) immediately following proceedings on the instrument of designation, the private Members' business notice relating to the disallowance of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Amendment (Annual Members' Meetings Notices) Regulations 2022, made under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 on 1 September 2022 and presented to the House on 5 September 2022, standing in the name of the Member for Fadden, being called on;

(a) including the mover's speech, debate continuing for no longer than one hour, at which time any questions necessary to complete consideration of the matter being put without delay; and

(b) if required by a Minister before the expiration of time allocated, debate on any question provided for under paragraph (2)(a) being extended for a further period specified by the Minister; and

(3) any variation to this arrangement being made only on a motion moved by a Minister.

We have two time-sensitive issues that we have to deal with, and so, rather than do it through separate motions on the Notice Paper, I've dealt with both together. The two time-sensitive issues that we have to deal with are a disallowance relating to superannuation and a Nauru instrument that people would be aware has appeared on the Notice Paper today from the Minister for Home Affairs. The reason for the time-limited debate on both is that I'm trying to make sure, given the need for issues to be resolved today, that we're able to do so well within the time before 6.30 pm, after which we have no further divisions, to make sure that these issues don't kick over beyond today. Provision has been made, depending on how quickly we get through the MPI, that, where there is flexibility for the minister to allow a further extension of time, that would be possible. But both issues are time-sensitive, and, if we have a long debate—and, I appreciate, given the nature of the issues, many members would like to be able to speak on them—there will be real-life consequences if we're not able to deal with these issues today. I commend the motion to the House.

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