John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I appreciate that. Of course the Senate is in control of its own business, but in these sorts of circumstances it often relies on precedents that have been established over a number of years. When the Senate or the House of Representatives has resumed sitting after an address by either a head of government or a head of state earlier in the day, from time to time there has been a question time, but that has certainly not been the case when the chamber has resumed sitting later in the afternoon, which is the situation on this occasion. So I think it is fair to say that this motion is consistent with past practice. I understand the points that Senator Brown makes. I do hope I did not suggest that it was a joint sitting, Senator Brown. I hope I did not commit that faux pas in my comments. It is true that President Yudhoyono will address the parliament tomorrow. I think this motion represents a sensible approach that is consistent with past practice, given the timing, and in these circumstances I commend it to the Senate.

Question put:

That the amendment (Senator Bob Brown’s) be agreed to.