Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move an amendment to general business notice of motion No. 1305 standing in my name.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That—

(a) the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Removing Discrimination Against Students) Bill 2018 be considered on Wednesday, 5 December 2018 from 11 am to 12.35 pm, at time allotted for consideration of government business;

(b) if, by 12.35 pm the bill has not been finally considered, the questions on all remaining stages shall be put without debate;

(c) paragraph (b) of this order shall operate as a limitation of debate under standing order 142; and

(d) the provisions of standing order 115(3) shall not apply to the bill so that the bill may be further considered even if it has been referred to a standing or select committee for inquiry and report.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a brief statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I indicate on behalf of the government that we will be supporting this motion as amended and that the Prime Minister has reached out to the Leader of the Opposition to ensure that we find a reasonable way forward and a reasonable compromise to help facilitate what the Prime Minister has indicated he would like to see facilitated, and that is to remove discrimination against students before the end of the parliamentary sitting year. We look forward to genuine and good faith engagement with the opposition and also with others in the parliament in the intervening period. On that basis, we will support this motion proceeding.

Question agreed to.