Barnaby Joyce (Queensland, National Party, Leader of The Nationals in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement of no longer than one minute.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Barnaby Joyce (Queensland, National Party, Leader of The Nationals in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is about the last division—I think it was notice of motion No. 723, part (b), moved by Senator Abetz. I was in a meeting with irrigators from the Murray-Darling. The first part of the motion would have been supported, but on the division on the second part of the motion we had only one minute to get to the chamber. In concluding conversations with people rather than cutting them off in mid-sentence, I did not have a chance to get in here to support, as I would have, the President, as noted in notice of motion No. 723 part (b). I just want it on the record that, if there is a change in voting patterns and there is knowledge that people are no longer in the chamber, if we could ring the bells for four minutes then that would give us a better chance to conclude what we are doing and move to the chamber.

Senator Bob Brown interjecting—

It is interesting to hear Senator Brown talking about when we are in the chamber and when we are not, given the fact that he is hardly ever here.