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

Mr President, I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name.

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

by leave—This is a matter that seems to crop up now and then in relation to membership of committees. This is a matter that should be referred to the Procedures Committee so that we can deal with it in a practical way across a range of committees which are outside the legislative and reference committees. I urge all parties to do that.

Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—This morning we have seen that senators have tried to make on the run a number of decisions in relation to the composition of Senate committees. The composition of Senate committees is carefully considered; it is in the standing orders. One of the motions that was withdrawn this morning would have changed the whole nature of the balance on that committee from one where the government had a majority to one where a minor party had the controlling vote. At any stage, when there is a move to change the numbers, not the composition, of committees, it should always go to the Procedures Committee before it is brought into the chamber for discussion.