Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That standing order 31 (automatic adjournment of the House) and standing order 33 (limit on business after 10 p.m.) be suspended for this sitting.

For the benefit of members, I will speak briefly to this motion. It would appear most likely that the House will have to sit for some period tomorrow morning, depending on the determination of the Senate. After discussion with the Manager of Opposition Business, it has been determined that, rather than us sit very late into the night or into the early hours of tomorrow morning waiting from a message from the Senate, what would be most convenient and practical—also for the staff of the House of Representatives, I must say—is if we adjourn tonight and then come back tomorrow morning.

At this stage it is not possible to be deliberative, because we do await the activity in the Senate. But I will certainly continue to liaise with the Manager of Opposition Business and ensure that, on behalf of all members of the House, we engage in a procedure that creates as little disruption as possible to the timetable that members have. I am aware, of course, that many members would have scheduled functions or visits in their electorates tomorrow afternoon. It is up to the Senate as to whether it will be possible for those to occur. I certainly thank the opposition for their cooperation on these issues.

Question agreed to.