Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate adopt the recommendations of the first report of the 2012 Procedure Committee in the terms circulated in the chamber.

I wish to speak briefly to this motion and draw to the attention of the Senate that there are some amendments to the standing orders effected through this motion, which have been explained quite adequately by the Procedure Committee report, and I encourage senators to read those matters if they have not already done so.

I also indicate that arising from the report the committee has requested the President of the Senate under standing order 17 to refer two matters to the Procedure Committee. I will just briefly highlight these matters. The first is consideration of the capacity of a Senate minister who is representing as to whether or not the notice of question should be given to the minister in advance, and some other matters relating to some procedures concerning the temporary order in relation to question time.

The second matter will be in relation to the examination of the operation of the routine of business of the Senate—basically a review of that. We have asked the President to refer those matters to us and at some stage, with the concurrence of the committee, I will be writing to all senators seeking input in relation to, particularly, the routine of business of the Senate.

In moving the motion I commend the report containing the other matters for senators to familiarise themselves with.