Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Temporary Chairman, I rise on a point of order. We had delayed amendment (6) and voting on item 4 of schedule 2 to allow Senator Sterle to come back into the chamber. I thought Senator Sterle had forgone the opportunity to speak. Clearly, he has not. Given that I understand Senator Sterle will be supporting the amendments, we do not have to recommit the vote, but undoubtedly Senator Sterle would want to put certain matters on the record. Allowing him to do that and then moving to Senator Murray’s amendments might be the quickest way. If Senator Sterle were to seek to do that, I would be delighted on behalf of the government to permit it.