Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I will move to amend the motion which says that the pensions bill has precedence over all government business until it is read a second time to the words ‘it is read a second time’ and to go back to the word ‘determined’. We have had a debate about how the pensions bill must be determined because it is the most urgent matter. We are moving into a situation here where the Senate is agreeing to that sentiment but not carrying it through. It is not logical. So I move this amendment to say that if we are now going to give the pensions bill precedence over the revenue-raising bill, let us determine it. Let us not get to the second reading and leave it to some other time indeterminate into the future. Senator Fielding will have to vote for this amendment on the basis of the argument he gave a moment ago. It is logical and sensible and proper procedure in bringing this bill on for it then to be determined; not left to the second reading for some future indeterminate time for resolution. We are in support of the pensions being increased. Let the Senate, now that it is determined to deal with that bill, deal with it completely. Therefore—by leave—I move:

Omit “the bill has been read a second time”, substitute “determined”.

Question agreed to.

Motion as amended agreed to.