Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Obviously, this is—

An honourable senator interjecting—

I'm making a suggestion to the chamber.

An honourable senator interjecting—

No, well—

The CHAIR: I remind the chamber that we are in Committee of the Whole.

We are in committee.

Opposition senators interjecting—

The CHAIR: Order! Senator Wong?

There is obviously some confusion because the procedure the chamber is now undertaking or utilising is a procedure that is entirely contained within Senator Cormann's head, as discussed with Senator Patrick, and, even as we have been conducting debate, the procedure has changed.

Initially we had an argument where I was denied my request for leave for 15 minutes unless I gave an agreement that this be concluded by a certain time. I refused to give that agreement. I was then given five minutes, and then, after the five minutes concluded, I was given an additional 10 minutes.

I do think it is incumbent on the government, given that they have agreed that party leaders speak, to explain what the procedure actually is. In particular, why is it that the Leader of the Australian Greens, who is a party leader—a party that I oppose regularly, but—

The CHAIR: Senator Wong, please resume your seat. Thank you. The Senate has determined how this matter will proceed, and there is to be no debate on the points. However, senators are entitled to the right to seek leave, and I think that's where we are up to with Senator Storer.