Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move government business notice of motion No. 1 as amended:

That:

(1)

On Monday, 13 August 2007:

(a)

the hours of meeting shall be 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm to adjournment;

(b)

the routine of business from 7.30 pm shall be government business only;

(c)

the question for the adjournment of the Senate shall be proposed at 10 pm; and

(d)

standing order 54(5) shall apply to the adjournment debate as if it were Tuesday.

(2)

On Tuesday, 14 August 2007:

(a)

the hours of meeting shall be 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm to 11.40 pm;

(b)

the routine of business from 7.30 pm shall be government business only; and

(c)

the question for the adjournment of the Senate shall be proposed at 11 pm.

(3)

On Thursday, 16 August 2007:

(a)

the hours of meeting shall be 9.30 am to 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm to adjournment;

(b)

consideration of general business and consideration of committee reports, government responses and Auditor-General’s reports under standing order 62(1) and (2) shall not be proceeded with;

(c)

the routine of business from 12.45 pm till not later than 2 pm, and from not later than 4.30 pm, shall be government business only;

(d)

divisions may take place after 4.30 pm; and

(e)

the question for the adjournment of the Senate shall be proposed after the Senate has finally considered the bills listed below, including any messages from the House of Representatives:

APEC Public Holiday Bill 2007

Aviation Legislation Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Bill 2007

Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Welfare Payment Reform) Bill 2007

Northern Territory National Emergency Response Bill 2007

Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Northern Territory National Emergency Response and Other Measures) Bill 2007

Appropriation (Northern Territory National Emergency Response) Bill (No. 1) 2007-2008

Appropriation (Northern Territory National Emergency Response) Bill (No. 2) 2007-2008

Water Bill 2007

Water (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2007.

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is a motion to extend sitting hours this week to deal with a raft of government legislation, including the legislation affecting the Northern Territory and Indigenous communities throughout Australia and the very important Water Bill, as well as other legislation. I make the point that this year is one of the shortest calendars in decades for sitting weeks. If the Senate were being adequately managed by the government, it would be sitting more weeks. It would not be sitting late into the night with open-ended sittings on Thursdays, but would have more sittings with time for all members to properly address legislation, rather than having extended hours and then the guillotine being dropped, as we are going to see repeatedly this week, to convenience a government struggling on its way to an election.

Question agreed to.