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

I move:

That the following proposed amendments to standing order 25 be referred to the Procedure Committee for inquiry and report by 25 February 2009:

Omit paragraphs (5) and (6), substitute:

(5)

The committees shall each consist of 7 senators, 3 nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, 3 nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and 1 nominated by the Leader of the largest party on the Senate crossbench, in consultation with independent members and other minor parties.

Omit paragraph (9)(a), (b) and (c), substitute:

(9) (a)

The Standing Committee on Community Affairs shall elect as its chair a member of the largest party on the Senate crossbench, and as its deputy chair a member of the Government.

(b)

The Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport shall elect as its chair a member of the Opposition, and as its deputy chair a member of the largest party on the Senate crossbench.

(c)

Of the remaining committees:

(i)

each of 3 committees shall elect as its chair a member nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and as its deputy chair a member nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, and

(ii)

each of 3 committees shall elect as its chair a member nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate and as its deputy chair a member nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.

(d)

The allocation of chairs and deputy chairs in accordance with paragraph (c) shall be determined by agreement between the Government and the Opposition, and, in the absence of agreement duly notified to the President, any question of the allocation of chairs shall be determined by the Senate.

Question agreed to.