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

I seek leave to move a motion to vary the routine of business for today. What it relates to, as I understand it, is what was agreed to by the whips. There are four parts to the motion. One is to deal with questions without notice and motions to take note of answers today, which is question time. The second is that the consideration of general business and consideration of committee reports and suchlike will not be proceeded with. The third is that the routine of business from not later than 3.45 pm shall be government business only. The final point is that divisions may take place after 4.30 pm today.

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

by leave—Yes, that is in essence what we agreed at the whips meeting last night. But there was an understanding that we have given up general business today to facilitate the package and also on the understanding, whilst it cannot be written in, that no other government business would be introduced in place of our general business.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is leave granted for Senator Ludwig to move the motion?

Leave granted.

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

I move:

Thaton Thursday, 12 February 2009:

(a)

questions without notice and motions to take note of answers not be proceeded with;

(b)

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

(c)

the routine of business from not later than 3.45 pm shall be government business only; and

(d)

divisions may take place after 4.30 pm.

In response to Senator Parry, the government business relates to the stimulus package today.

Question agreed to.