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

Before calling anyone else I would like to go back to the motion that Senator Fielding needed to sight the amendment to. So we are on business of the Senate notices of motion No. 1. There was an amendment moved by Senator Ludwig to the motion of Senator Xenophon.

Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move an amendment to Senator Ludwig’s amendment.

Leave granted.

I move that Senator Ludwig’s amendment be amended to read as follows:

Omit all words after “That”, substitute:

(1)

The following matter be referred to the Standing Committee of Senators’ Interests for inquiry and report:       The best mechanism to give effect to an accountability regime for the declaration by senators of gifts and interests in the nature of sponsored travel, accommodation and hospitality, including the development of resolutions, if appropriate, and consideration of how breaches will be dealt with.

Just to make it clear to the chamber, my amendment proposes to delete item (2) of Senator Ludwig’s amendment and to just keep item (1).

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

The question is therefore that the amendment moved by Senator Fielding be agreed to. The question is agreed to?

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I think the noes had it in relation to that amendment.

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

by leave—Can we just defer this for a short while. It seems to me that we do need to clarify what the position is so we can move forward in respect of this matter. That may be helpful.

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

Leave is granted to defer this matter for a short while. I will therefore defer the consideration of business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1.