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

I seek leave to amend government business notice of motion No. 1 by omitting paragraphs (2) to (5).

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That, on Monday, 1 December 2008:

(a)

the hours of meeting shall be 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm to 11.40 pm;

(b)

the routine of business from 7.30 pm shall be government business only; and

(c)

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

In trying to deal with the workload that we have—which is some 18-odd packages of bills—in the Senate this week, the government’s view was that it was best to lay out the timetable from Monday to Thursday evening so that all senators would understand what the week would bring. There is a view from the opposition—and, probably, the minor parties—that it might be more interesting to deal with it on a daily basis. The government does see some merit in that because we do not know what progress might occur through the week.

Omitting paragraphs (2) to (5) from the motion does not change the timetable for today; it leaves today the same. The hours of sitting shall be from 12.30 to late at night. At 11 o’clock the adjournment will be proposed and then of course there will be the usual 40-minute adjournment debate.

The object will be to get through as much of the program as possible, of course ensuring that everyone gets an opportunity to make their contribution. I remind senators that this follows from the leaders and whips meeting last week, which allowed a range of bills, 40 in all, to be progressed. We have progressed 22 of those, so there is some merit in dealing with the hours on a daily basis this week, based on the progress that has been made so far.

I remind senators that in the two final weeks of sittings we are always required to deal with a significant program before the end of the session. However, it is not as onerous as in the past. In the final two sitting weeks in September last year the Senate considered 50 bills. Numbers of bills considered in the past have ranged from 30 to 40. So there is merit in dealing with the hours on a daily basis, given that we have a smaller number of bills to progress through than in the past.

We understand that senators have had extensive briefings on the relevant bills, as required, through their parties and can request additional information if they so desire. We also understand that a range of the bills have been dealt with through the committee. I enjoin all senators to allow the program to proceed so that we can complete the number of bills required before Thursday evening.