Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Hansard source

Senators, given this goes directly to the operation of the chamber, I'm going to take up the rare option of the chair to contribute to debate under the standing orders. I'll only be a minute.

From the position of having been here for 13 years and also having been your President for the last three-and-a-bit years, this has become an increasingly challenging and, I would put it, unedifying part of Senate business. Complex motions, indeed, matters of conscience are having votes forced without senators being able to explain their positions, let alone debate alternative positions, but senators are not provided the opportunity to explain them.

The right of senators to speak is sacrosanct and that is, in my view, protected, indeed increased, by this motion. However, that right does not extend to forcing other senators to vote without them having the same opportunity, at the very least, to explain their position on motions put before the Senate effectively on less than 24 hours notice. A right to speak does not extend to a right to force others to vote while being denied that very opportunity. Are there any other contributions to the debate? We have 2½ minutes remaining. Senator Lambie.