Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with resolution agreed to on 1 August 2022, the House will consider the bill immediately. The question is that this bill be now read a second time.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

I'll put the question that this bill be now read a third time. All of those—I call the Manager of Opposition Business.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just seek the Speaker's advice. That process was brought on very quickly—

Government members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I'll hear the Manager of Opposition Business in silence.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We are concerned on this side that there may be some in the parliament who regard this as a very important matter and want to have the chance to vote on this. There may be people who want to call for a division. That's a matter for them, because this will be a free vote, a conscience vote. So I'd suggest to you, Mr Speaker—but I think it would be in accordance with the traditions of this parliament, particularly considering the nature of this piece of legislation—that we recommit this so that there is a clear opportunity to put the second reading so that it's clear to all what is in fact before the chamber.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll hear from the Leader of the House.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks very much. Just to the point of order and to suggest a way forward: the standing order that's just been referred to, to recommit, is based on misadventure. I think it's really hard to argue that a misadventure just occurred, in that a lot of notification was given, as soon as we knew that debate had finished in the Federation Chamber, that this would happening this morning, including to the Manager of Opposition Business. That said, people will get their chance, if they want to participate in a conscience vote, to divide. If they want to do that at the third reading, the opportunity is about to be there. But I really don't think we can get into the habit of claiming recommittal on the basis that people just weren't paying attention. There are different views across the parliament on this particular bill, but I really think it'd be a big step for us to use the recommittal principle where indeed there was no misadventure. But the third reading will provide the opportunity the Manager of Opposition Business referred to.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll call the Leader of the Opposition.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If I can, just on indulgence, add to the wise counsel from both the previous speakers. I think some of the confusion about that, if I might say, was created on the screens. There was a reference to this particular bill—it was a message from the Federation Chamber—and I think that's where the confusion has arisen, if that provides assistance to you in your deliberation.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the leader, the manager and the Leader of the House. The resolution stated before the House was clear, and it was listed in the Notice Paper. I was deliberate with my calling of the second reading. There was no division called. I did allow some time. There were no voices heard, so I have moved to the third reading. As the manager has indicated, there will be time there for a division as well.