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

I move:

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

Mr Speaker, my advice at this stage is that the Senate, in their wisdom, will of course not deal with the budget this morning; they will deal with private members' business and a few other things. They have been dealing with valedictories and other matters during the week. It is their intention to begin the discussion on the budget at about quarter to four or quarter to five if they decide to have a matter of public importance debate this afternoon. So those who have friends in the Senate and who wish to get home at some reasonable hour could perhaps encourage them to deal with these issues sooner rather than later. Even though we have one more scheduled sitting week in this winter session, of course, that is after 1 July, and the budget bills do need to be carried before then. So I will inform the House, either prior to question time or immediately afterwards—as soon as I have more information—of what course we will take, but there are a number of options available: suspending tonight and coming back later tonight, coming back tomorrow or perhaps coming back on Monday, depending upon the circumstances. I will endeavour to keep the House informed.

Question agreed to.