Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move business of the Senate notice of motion No. 3 in a revised form, as circulated in the chamber.

Leave granted.

I want to advise the Senate the revised motion is being moved in the names of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Minchin; the Leader of Family First, me; the Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Bob Brown; and Senator Xenophon. I move:

That—

(1)

The additional estimates hearings of standing committees scheduled for the week beginning 9 February 2009 not take place.

(2)

The Senate meet from Monday, 9 February to Thursday, 12 February 2009.

(3)

The Senate not meet from Monday, 23 February to Thursday, 26 February 2009.

(4)

That the 2008-09 additional estimates hearings by standing committees be scheduled as follows:

Monday, 23 February and Tuesday, 24 February 2009, and, if required, Friday, 27 February 2009 (Group A)

Wednesday, 25 February and Thursday, 26 February 2009, and, if required, Friday, 27 February 2009 (Group B).

(5)

The provisions of the following bills (the bills) be referred to the Finance and Public Administration Committee for inquiry and report by 10 February 2009:

Appropriation (Nation Building and Jobs) Bill (No. 1) 2008-2009

Appropriation (Nation Building and Jobs) Bill (No. 2) 2008-2009

Commonwealth Inscribed Stock Amendment Bill 2009

Household Stimulus Package Bill 2009

Tax Bonus for Working Australians Bill 2009

Tax Bonus for Working Australians (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2009.

(5A)

The provisions of the Household Stimulus Package Bill 2009 also be referred to the Community Affairs Committee for inquiry and report by 10 February 2009.

(5B)

The Community Affairs Committee may not meet to consider the Household Stimulus Package Bill 2009 at the same time as the Finance and Public Administration Committee is meeting to consider the bills.

(6)

Notwithstanding the reference of the provisions of the bills, the Senate may consider the bills to the conclusion of the second reading stage, but shall not further consider the bills until the report of the Finance and Public Administration Committee on the bills has been tabled.

(7)

On Thursday, 5 February 2009:

(a)

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

(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 not later than 4.30 pm till 7 pm shall be consideration of the bills (second reading speeches);

(d)

divisions may take place after 4.30 pm; and

(e)

at 7 pm the Senate shall adjourn without any question being put.

(8)

The Finance and Public Administration Committee shall meet from 7 pm to 9 pm on Thursday, 5 February 2009, and from 9 am on Friday, 6 February 2009 to take evidence from government departments and agencies, including (but not limited to):

(a)

Treasury;

(b)

Centrelink;

(c)

Education, Employment and Workplace Relations;

(d)

Environment, Heritage and the Arts; and

(e)

Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

(9)

The Finance and Public Administration Committee shall meet on Monday, 9 February 2009 to take further evidence in relation to the bills from non-government organisations, community groups and other interested parties as determined by the committee, and may meet during the sitting of the Senate for that purpose.

(10)

The presentation of the reports of the committees on the bills be orders of the day for 12.31 pm on Tuesday, 10 February 2009.

(11)

On Thursday, 12 February 2009, the hours of meeting shall be 9.30 am to adjournment, and the question for the adjournment of the Senate shall not be proposed until the Senate has finally considered the bills listed in paragraph (5).

(12)

If the Senate has not finally determined the bills by midnight on Thursday, 12 February 2009, the President or the chairman shall immediately put the question on any amendment or motion already proposed from the chair, and shall then propose any other question requisite to dispose of the bills.

Question agreed to.