Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Madam Chair, I ask that the question be put.

The TEMPORARY CHAIR: The question is that the question be put.

Question agreed to.

The CHAIR: The question is that government amendments (1) to (34), (36) to (62) and (64) to (68) moved by Senator Watt be agreed to.

The CHAIR (16:27): The question before the chair is that items 584 and 667 of schedule 1 stand as printed.

The CHAIR (16:30): Honourable senators, I have a statement in relation to opposition amendments on sheets 1704 to 1711. The government amendments on sheet PV124 included amendments to the definition of 'small business' for certain purposes. Amendments (45), (50) and (56) changed the size of small businesses to 20 employees. As those amendments have been agreed to, the series of amendments circulated by Senator Cash that also seek to change the size of small businesses are contrary to standing order 118(2). That standing order provides:

No … amendment shall be proposed which is substantially the same as one already negatived by the committee, or which is inconsistent with one that has been agreed to by the committee, unless a recommittal of the bill has intervened.

As such, it is not in order for those amendments to be moved.