Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

As it happens, I will not need three minutes, except to say that this is a perennial argument that is had in here. The Greens have consistently argued that we need to schedule more sitting weeks so we do not end up with crowded schedules at the end of each of the seasonal sittings with the extended hours and the frustration everybody has. That is why you should put it up front, and I just want to put on the record how distressing it was this year to have sittings during school holidays. We warned at the time that that would be a very difficult scenario for many people. But no notice was taken of that. I am pleased to note that at least the sitting schedule that has been established for next year recognises school holidays, and I just want to put on the record that that is a critical consideration. People need to think about that in the scheduling.

I wanted to put on the record the Green's view that we should be scheduling some extra sitting time. It makes sense and it makes for more predictable lifestyles if you know exactly what you are doing and you have got time to do it in so you do not end up being squashed at the end of these sitting times by long sitting hours and legislation by exhaustion. It does not necessarily make for the best outcomes.

Question agreed to.