Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:

That—

(1)

On Tuesday, 23 September 2008:

(a)

the hours of meeting shall be 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm and 7 pm to 11.40 pm;

(b)

the routine of business from 7 pm shall be government business only; and

(c)

the question for the adjournment of the Senate shall be proposed at 11 pm.

(2)

On Thursday, 25 September 2008:

(a)

the hours of meeting shall be 9.30 am to 6.30 pm and 7 pm to adjournment;

(b)

consideration of general business and consideration of committee reports, government responses and Auditor-General’s reports under standing order 62(1) and (2) shall not be proceeded with;

(c)

the routine of business from 12.45 pm till not later than 2 pm, and from not later than 4.30 pm shall be government business only;

(d)

divisions may take place after 4.30 pm;

(e)

the question for the adjournment of the Senate shall be proposed when a motion for the adjournment is moved by a minister; and

(f)

if the Senate is sitting at 11 pm, the sitting of the Senate shall be suspended till 9.30 am on Friday, 26 September 2008.

(3)

On Friday, 26 September 2008:

(a)

the hours of meeting shall be 9.30 am to 4.30 pm;

(b)

the routine of business shall be:

(i)

notices of motion, and

(ii)

government business only; and

(c)

the question for the adjournment of the Senate shall be proposed at 3.50 pm.

I thought it was worth me speaking briefly to the notice of motion for the chamber’s benefit. It provides that the Senate will sit on Tuesday until 11 pm and, in addition, on Thursday until 11 pm, plus the usual 40-minute adjournment. Then the Senate will suspend and sit on Friday. I thought it was worth providing that quick overview to the Senate today. I have given notice of this motion. We can have further discussions on this today and tomorrow when it comes up. At the moment it is being circulated and we are seeking comment from the opposition, the minor parties and Independents about how we proceed. The government is serious about achieving legislation this week, and we can entertain discussions about how we proceed this week. This notice of motion is effectively a protective notice of motion so that we can use the time between now and tomorrow to confirm this notice or, alternatively, come to a mutually agreeable position on what the hours should be to ensure that we do sit. I thought it was helpful to inform the Senate that the government’s intention is to deal with the luxury car tax, and there may be other bills that need to be passed this week to ensure that they can commence. I also wanted to provide notice to the Senate that we will be sitting late on Tuesday and on Thursday and possibly on Friday as well.