John Hogg (President) Share this | Hansard source

Excuse me! I think the President will say what the President said—from either side. Can I say that in the first instance Senator Abetz rose to ask a question of the chair of the economics committee. That question was put without notice and I was asked to rule on that point. I ruled that the question was out of order because it was not in compliance with the standing orders. The standing orders as I read them and on the advice of the Clerk provide that ‘unless leave of the Senate is granted for the question to be asked without notice’, and that was not sought in the first instance, ‘it may be asked only on notice’. It was on that basis that I ruled the question out. To those who are putting the case to me that it was sought in the first instance, I do not think that that was put to me; it was subsequently sought by Senator Abetz that leave be granted. I would say that in the first instance the opportunity for the question to be asked was given, the appropriate standing order was applied, and this is a second time at asking the question. I would therefore move on to the next question and that is the question to be asked by the Greens.