Adam Bandt (Melbourne, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move that the motion be amended in the terms as circulated to honourable members in the chamber. For the sake of clarity, this amendment reads as follows:

That paragraphs 3-8 be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

(3) calls on the Federal Government and the Victorian Government to work together to ensure that:

(a) the principles of ‘Universal Access’ are fully implemented in Victoria; and

(b) each kindergarten in Victoria is sufficiently funded to meet its ‘Universal Access’ obligations without compromising its ability to offer 3 year old kindergarten.

The motion that has been moved by the member for Aston does refer to some very real issues. In Victoria, where three-year-old kindergartens are often co-located with four-year-old kindergartens, there are some real questions and some real concerns about what the effect of moving to universal access will be. But the answer to that is not to move away from the universal access policy. It is a very good policy that deserves support and the kindergarten parents I speak to want to make sure that not only is universal access implemented but that it has done in a way that allows three-year-old kindergarten to continue. It is on that basis that I move my amendment.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the amendment seconded?

Robert Oakeshott (Lyne, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I second the amendment, Mr Speaker.

Question negatived.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question now is that the motion be agreed to.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I seek leave to speak on the motion and to move three amendments.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Wannon, on the basis that he has already spoken in the debate, is seeking leave to get the call. Is leave granted?

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

Mr Speaker, I seek some clarification. An amendment was circulated by the member for Wannon earlier on. After the debate had commenced I got handed to me in the House by the attendants another amendment of which I have had no notice whatsoever. The government has attempted to facilitate these discussions of private members' business but we cannot be expected to facilitate discussion of amendments moved in the House after they have been debated. If a member is seeking leave to move the amendment—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will allow the member for Wannon to clarify what it is that he is seeking leave to do. At the moment it is true that there are two amendments circulated.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am seeking leave to move three amendments.

Leave not granted. Question put:

That the motion (Mr Tudge's) be agreed to.

The House divided. [12:19]

(The Speaker—Mr Harry Jenkins)

Question agreed to.