Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Before the minister gets the call, I would like to make a statement to the Federation Chamber, noting that, before the Federation Chamber considers the first portfolio, I'd like to remind all members of the purpose of the consideration in detail stage and outline the way it is expected to proceed.

On Tuesday 28 May, the House agreed to a resolution setting the order and timing for the consideration of portfolios. Any variation to this order and timing can only be made on a motion moved by a minister. Consideration in detail is a debate, and the call will be alternated between government and non-government members as always. Even though this debate sometimes takes the format of questions and answers, this is not question time.

Ministers and government backbench members will both be considered as speakers for the government's turn and should bear this in mind when they seek the call. Members are required to be relevant to the portfolio being examined, but there is no requirement for direct relevance to any questions asked. Given the time limits applying to each portfolio, it might be practical for ministers to respond to more than one question when they seek the call. Each minister and member will have up to five minutes to speak each time they are called, but they may wish to speak for a shorter time. Ministers may wish to speak first and make an introductory statement when debate on their portfolio begins, but that is a matter for them to decide.

Members will be aware of the terms of the resolution providing dates and times after which the questions to agree to expenditure on each portfolio will be put. To avoid confusion, when these times are reached, a member who is speaking will be allowed to continue their remarks, but chairs—whoever is sitting in this chair—are obligated to put the question immediately at the conclusion of that member's speech, and no further debate will be permitted.

Employment and Workplace Relations Portfolio

Proposed expenditure: $5,176,374,000

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