The following orders of the day relating to committee reports and government responses were considered:

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee—Report—Natural resource management and conservation challenges. Motion of the chair of the committee (Senator Nash) to take note of report agreed to.

Regional and Remote Indigenous Communities—Select Committee—Third report. Motion of Senator Parry to take note of report agreed to.

National Broadband Network—Select Committee—Third report. Motion of the chair of the committee (Senator Fisher) to take note of report agreed to.

Privileges—Standing Committee—142nd report—Matters arising from the Economics Legislation Committee hearing on 19 June 2009 (referred 24 June and 12 August 2009). Motion of the chair of the committee (Senator Brandis)—That:

(a)

in respect of the matters referred on 24 June 2009:

(i)

the Senate endorse the committee’s findings in paragraph 6.5 and the conclusion in paragraph 6.6 of the report,

(ii)

the President of the Senate resume consideration of an appropriate response to flagrant breaches of the Presiding Officers’ guidelines on filming and photography in Parliament House by members of the media on 19 June 2009, noting the committee’s suggestion in paragraph 3.23 of the report, and

(iii)

the Chairs’ Committee established under standing order 25(10) consider model practices for handling the media at committee hearings, and the inclusion of additional information about witnesses’ rights under the broadcasting resolutions in the standard information provided to all witnesses, as discussed in paragraphs 3.14 and 3.15 of the report; and

(b)

in respect of the matters referred on 12 August 2009, the Senate endorse the committee’s findings in paragraph 6.8 and the conclusion in paragraph 6.9 of the report—agreed to.

Environment, Communications and the Arts References Committee—Report—Forestry and mining operations on the Tiwi Islands. Motion of the chair of the committee to take note of report called on. Debate was adjourned till the next day of sitting, Senator Parry in continuation.

Treaties—Joint Standing Committee—Report 106—Nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Motion of Senator McGauran to take note of report called on. On the motion of Senator Marshall the debate was adjourned till the next day of sitting.