Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave of the House to move the third reading immediately.

Leave not granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the remaining stages being passed without delay.

Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business in relation to the motion.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There are only four speakers left on the list for parliament to be able to have a sensible debate on this issue. At the beginning of this week, when the Leader of the House introduced this bill, he made it clear that he was surprised that we gave leave. We decided to be cooperative so that we could have a substantive debate on the issue, but, like everything that is characterised by this legislation, what they are about is silencing dissent. What they are about is making sure that the additional speakers do not even get heard.

Next week, the Senate is not even on. The chance of this making a difference in the timing for the bill going through is nil. The only thing that the Leader of the House is doing is attempting to make sure that Labor members of parliament are not heard in the debate. That is what this is about. I have a full speaking time of 10 minutes there; my suggestion is that I sit down now—but, Leader of the House, do not silence the third reading. Let the Labor members in the third reading speak for as long as they need to make their case on this substantive issue. It is a reasonable position from us. All we ask is that we have a government that has the courage to not see debate as something purely to be shut down.

Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion be agreed to.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the bill be now read a third time.

Clare O'Neil (Hotham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Could I just start by expressing my absolute disgust at those on the other side trying to gag my contribution to this bill. Deputy Speaker, I represent 100,000 people in this chamber.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the question be put.

Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question now is that the bill be read a third time.