The following orders of the day relating to committee reports and government responses were considered:

Economics Legislation Committee—Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee—Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee—Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee—Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee—Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee—Reports—Annual reports (No. 2 of 2006), September 2006. Motion of the chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee (Senator Johnston) to take note of reports agreed to.

Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee—Report—About time! Women in sport and recreation in Australia. Motion of the chair of the committee (Senator Bartlett) to take note of report agreed to.

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee—Report—National Animal Welfare Bill 2005. Motion of Senator Bartlett to take note of report called on. On the motion of Senator Kirk debate was adjourned till the next day of sitting.

Community Affairs References Committee—Report—Beyond petrol sniffing: Renewing hope for Indigenous communities. Motion of the chair of the committee (Senator Moore) to take note of report called on. On the motion of Senator Kirk debate was adjourned till the next day of sitting.

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade—Joint Standing Committee—Report—Expanding Australia’s trade and investment relations with North Africa. Motion of the chair of the committee (Senator Ferguson) to take note of report called on. On the motion of Senator Kirk debate was adjourned till the next day of sitting.

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade—Joint Standing Committee—Report—Australia’s defence relations with the United States. Motion of the chair of the committee (Senator Ferguson) to take note of report called on. On the motion of Senator Kirk debate was adjourned till the next day of sitting.

Electoral Matters—Joint Standing Committee—Report—Funding and disclosure: Inquiry into disclosure of donations to political parties and candidates. Motion of Senator Carr to take note of report called on. On the motion of Senator Kirk debate was adjourned till the next day of sitting.

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee—Report—China’s emergence: Implications for Australia. Motion of the chair of the committee (Senator Hutchins) to take note of report called on. On the motion of Senator Kirk debate was adjourned till the next day of sitting.

Mental Health—Select Committee—First report—A national approach to mental health—from crisis to community. Motion of the chair of the committee (Senator Allison) to take note of report called on. On the motion of Senator Kirk debate was adjourned till the next day of sitting.

Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee—Report—Living with salinity—a report on progress: The extent and economic impact of salinity in Australia. Motion of the chair of the committee (Senator Bartlett) to take note of report agreed to.

Legal and Constitutional References Committee—Report—Administration and operation of the Migration Act 1958. Motion of the chair of the committee (Senator Crossin) to take note of report called on. On the motion of Senator Kirk debate was adjourned till the next day of sitting.

Community Affairs References Committee—Reports—Forgotten Australians: A report on Australians who experienced institutional or out-of-home care as children—Protecting vulnerable children: A national challenge: Inquiry into Australians who experienced institutional or out-of-home care—Government responses. Motion of Senator Murray to take note of document called on. On the motion of Senator Kirk debate was adjourned till the next day of sitting.