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

by leave—

I move:

That the time and order of business for the sitting tomorrow, 16 November 2010, be as follows, unless otherwise ordered:

(a)

the House, at its rising, adjourn until tomorrow at 11 am;

(b)

government business have priority from 11 am until 2 pm; and

(c)

during the period from 11 am until 2 pm any division on a question called for in the House, other than on a motion moved by a Minister, shall stand deferred until the conclusion of the discussion of a matter of public importance.

I will speak briefly to this resolution on behalf of the government. I thank the opposition for their cooperation in this matter. We are moving these extra three hours of sitting in the main parliamentary chamber to enable additional speakers who have not yet had the opportunity to contribute to the debate on Afghanistan to do so. It is intended that this will be the only matter of business before the parliament before 2 pm tomorrow. The Afghanistan motion will then be referred to the Main Committee. This will ensure that the Afghanistan debate in the House of Representatives is able to be concluded prior to the important meeting that will take place in Lisbon surrounding these matters. People would be aware that the defence minister leaves for Lisbon on Wednesday and the Prime Minister on Thursday. I thank the Manager of Opposition Business for his cooperation in this matter.

Question agreed to.