Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—Mr President, I rise to make a point of clarification in respect of this division for people who were not in the chamber when I spoke just prior to the division being called. The government has given an assurance that this piece of legislation will not be called on today, in accordance with agreement between the opposition and the government. We understand that this piece of legislation is before a committee, and that committee should report to the parliament prior to it being considered. The basis of this division right now is that there is some concern that we may bring this on for debate today. I have made a statement to the chamber that that is not the case. We respect the processes of the parliament and we will not be bringing the legislation on for debate today—it is purely and simply receiving a message from the House of Representatives so that the legislation is introduced. It is the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014. It is before a committee and it should go through that process before it comes to the chamber.