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

by leave—I move:

That, unless otherwise ordered, so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following arrangements applying for this sitting:

1. during the period from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. 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

2. during the period from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. 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

3. any variation to this arrangement to be made only by a motion moved by a Minister.

Briefly, I thank the Manager of Opposition Business for his cooperation on this arrangement, which was agreed to in advance some weeks ago to provide some certainty for members. The Manager of Opposition Business and I will also have discussions about business during the week. It is possible that we might need to sit later on either Wednesday and/or Thursday due to the amount of business before the House. I am letting people know this at the first possible opportunity, but we will have those discussions. If things run smoothly, it will not be necessary. I thank the House.

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

On the motion before the House, I make the same point as I made at the end of the last sitting. It is the point about the backlog of private members' votes. I note they are not on the order of business for today. There are at least 13 votes that have been pending for some time now. They have been recommended by the House of Representatives Selection Committee. Each time they have missed their spot until now. It has been understandable but I would hope on behalf of all members in this chamber that a priority of business for this week is that those private members' votes get dealt with.

Question agreed to.