Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move a motion relating to the consideration of private senators' bills as circulated in the chamber.

Leave not granted.

Pursuant to contingent notice of motion, I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent me moving a motion to provide for consideration of a matter—namely, a motion relating to the consideration of private senators' bills to be moved and determined immediately.

I am moving to suspend standing orders today to have these four bills—the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Small Business Redundancy Exemption) Bill 2023, the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Protections Against Discrimination) Bill 2023, the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency) Bill 2023 and the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (First Responders) Bill 2023—debated and decided upon as quickly as possible.

These four bills are sensible changes to the law that are not controversial. They should never have been part of legislation that includes very complex changes to employment law. They include simple changes that do a lot for some of Australia's most vulnerable people: acknowledging PTSD for our first responders; stopping discrimination for victims of domestic violence; bringing silica in line with asbestos; and getting rid of redundancy exemptions for large businesses during insolvency. They are all easy for the Senate to agree to. They are sensible and they are the government's own policies.

These bills are actually in the government's own words. Senator Pocock and I lifted them straight from the government's beast of a bill, the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill. Lumping these four things in with complex changes like the definition of 'casual work', the gig economy and union delegate powers was always the wrong thing to do. They are using it as leverage. We're not playing this game, not when it comes to people's lives and wellbeing. They are challenging proposals that require more time and attention. So I want to get on with these four bills. I want to get them done now so that those people out there who these bills will affect can start getting on with their lives and get the attention that they need immediately.