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

by leave—I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent:

(1) the time and order of business for Tuesday, 19 June 2012 being as follows:

(a) the House shall meet at 12 noon;

(b) during the period from 12 noon until 2pm any division on a question called for in the House, other than on a motion moved by a Minister during this period, shall stand deferred until the conclusion of the discussion of a matter of public importance; and

(c) during the period from 12 noon until 2pm if any member draws the attention of the Speaker to the state of the House, the Speaker shall announce that he will count the House at the conclusion of the discussion of a matter of public importance, if the Member then so desires; and

(2) any variation to this arrangement to be made only by a motion moved by a Minister.

I thank the opposition for their cooperation in this matter. It is the government's intention to try to get through this last sitting fortnight of the session without extending sittings into the late night. I note also that the press gallery have, for some reason, put their major function of the year on next Wednesday night. Normally we would sit on the Wednesday night before the last sitting day, so we will have to be a little bit more diligent if people wish to be able to attend that event. Tomorrow we will discuss with the opposition which bills will be discussed between 12 and 2pm but there will be no votes during that period.

Question agreed to.