Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That—

(a) the Senate adopt the recommendation at paragraph 4.10 of Scrutiny Digest 13 of 2017 of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, proposing an amendment to standing order 24; and

(b) the temporary order of the Senate of 29 November 2016, concerning an amendment to standing order 24, cease to have effect.

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last year, the Senate agreed to temporarily amend the standing orders to allow any senator to ask a minister why a response had not been provided in time for the Scrutiny of Bills Committee. Since this came into effect this year, the committee has noticed a significant improvement in the timeliness of responses. The temporary order is due to expire in March 2018. This motion seeks to make these changes apply on an ongoing basis. The committee's view is that the temporary order has significantly assisted it in its scrutiny work and that the standing orders should be amended on an ongoing basis. I urge all senators to adopt this recommendation.

Question agreed to.