Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Leader of the House, I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring on Wednesday, 6 November:

(1) notwithstanding standing order 31, if the second reading debate on the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 has not concluded earlier, at 8 pm the adjournment debate being interrupted and the bill being called on for further consideration, with the second reading debate continuing until:

(a) a division is called; or

(b) 10 pm; or

(c) a later time specified by a Minister prior to 10 pm;

at which point, the debate being adjourned and the House immediately adjourning until Thursday, 7 November at 9 am; and

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

For the benefit of the House, I will explain the impact of this motion if it passes the House. We're about to move to a second reading debate on this bill. I understand that there's quite a deal of interest among members of the House in making a contribution to that debate. The debate will run until 90-second statements. It will resume after the MPI, but it will take some time to get through. The effect of this motion, if it's passed, will be that the debate will continue till 7.30. The adjournment debate will then take place for half an hour. After the adjournment debate is concluded, instead of the House adjourning, we will continue with the second reading debate on the misinformation and disinformation bill, which will continue until 10 pm unless we run out of speakers before that time. Obviously any divisions or quorum calls that are sought after 6.30 pm would still be deferred until tomorrow morning. I commend the motion.

Question agreed to.