Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

on indulgence—I table an Agreement for Members to Contribute Remotely to Parliamentary Proceedings. This is an agreement that has been struck in concert with the Manager of Opposition Business. It extends the same arrangements as we experienced earlier in the year. It will allow members to remotely contribute to the next sitting period. I want to thank the member for—

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

Watson.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Watson—of course! I should know that well.

An opposition member interjecting—

I can give you 20 minutes on that topic if you want! I thank the member for Watson for the way in which he's engaged.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Leader of the House. The Manager of Opposition Business.

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

on indulgence—I thank the Leader of the House. This has been turned around very quickly. What this means for members is, if over the weekend we end up in a situation where you are not able to return to Canberra for next week's sitting, the video systems that you would have to access from your electorate office will be available in the House again. They will be available here and they will be available in the Federation Chamber. Obviously we don't know how many people that may or may not apply to at this point in time. I know a number of people are staying in Canberra over the weekend to avoid it. I want to thank the Leader of the House, the Speaker and all the staff. This now initiates a lot of work, and it is very much appreciated, to be able to allow people to participate in pretty difficult times.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank both the Leader of the House and the Manager of Opposition Business and for both pointing out that it will operate on the same basis as it did before. So that should answer any questions people have about it's operations.