Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That the Senate not meet on Friday, 20 June 2008.

The predominant reason for this motion is that the opposition have referred 11 bills, which we would have expected to deal with during this sitting fortnight, to committees that will report in September. We would have been able to deal with them on Friday, and we would have needed those hours. When we first looked at the sitting timetable and examined the hours of work that we would require, we determined that it would require a Friday sitting. However, the opposition, in their disregard for the Senate being able to deal with budget bills prior to 1 July, referred bills to committees that will report in August and September. We will not now need the Friday this week to sit. However, I can add that the opposition have committed to only three bills being dealt with on Friday by committees to be reporting next week. I can say that we will be able to deal with those in the ensuing week. That will of course put pressure on the Senate to be able to deal with those bills next week. I am confident that the Senate will be able to adequately manage, given the hours of sitting next week.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not think this motion can go through without my commenting that the opposition has been exceptionally cooperative this week facilitating the smooth passage of quite a number of bills. This is why we are getting through the legislation as we are today. I think it needs to be placed on record that it is the cooperation of the opposition that has helped facilitate the passage of legislation.

Question agreed to.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That—

(a)   the following government business orders of the day be considered from 12.45 pm till not later than 2 pm today:

No. 6      Export Market Development Grants Amendment Bill 2008

No. 7      Veterans’ Entitlements Legislation Amendment (2007 Election Commitments) Bill 2008

No. 8      Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme Bill 2008

Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008

No. 9      Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2008

No. 10    Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment (2008 Budget Measures) Bill 2008

No. 11    Law Officers Legislation Amendment Bill 2008

No. 12    Customs Tariff Amendment (Tobacco Content) Bill 2008

No. 13    Farm Household Support Amendment (Additional Drought Assistance Measures) Bill 2008

No. 14    Fisheries Legislation Amendment (New Governance Arrangements for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Other Matters) Bill 2008

No. 15    Health Care (Appropriation) Amendment Bill 2008

No. 16    Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Bill 2008

No. 17    Health Insurance Amendment (90 Day Pay Doctor Cheque Scheme) Bill 2008; and

(b)   the following government business orders of the day be considered from 7 pm today:

No. 18    Wheat Export Marketing Bill 2008

Wheat Export Marketing (Repeal and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008

No. 19    Tax Laws Amendment (Election Commitments No. 1) Bill 2008

Income Tax (Managed Investment Trust Withholding Tax) Bill 2008

Income Tax (Managed Investment Trust Transitional) Bill 2008.

Question agreed to.