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

The question now is that the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and the bill be now passed.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm seeking your guidance again, Mr President. It might be a bit confusing. My sheet tells me that amendment (1) on sheet 8628 is to be moved by Senator Wong on behalf of the opposition in the Committee of the Whole. I'd like to move that amendment. I'm assuming, of course, that, given that it was going to be moved by Senator Wong, we'll have the support of the Labor Party on this.

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

This is not a time for debate. You need to seek leave. There are no amendments before the chair. The amendments were withdrawn.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am seeking leave to move—

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

Just number the amendments, please.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

8628, the amendment to be moved by Senator Wong.

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

Are you seeking leave to move the amendment that was previously listed on sheet 8628?

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Correct—in the name of Senator Wong and the Labor Party.

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

Leave is not granted.

Senator Di Natale interjecting—

Senator Di Natale, what are you seeking to do? Leave was not granted.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pursuant to contingent notice, I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent him moving that amendment.

Senator Cormann interjecting—

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

Senator Di Natale was on his feet. You will have the call next, Senator Cormann. Senator Di Natale has moved a suspension. I am required to put that motion without debate, on the same grounds that we put them without debate earlier in the day. He is seeking to suspend so much of standing orders as would prevent him moving amendment (1) on sheet 8628.

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

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted.

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

I understand the political reasons why Senator Di Natale needs to do this. I would make the point that the second reading amendment moved by Senator Cormann, which refers the bill and the amendments made by the Senate to the PJCIS for review by 3 April 2019, which he moved previously, in effect picks up the substance of the amendment he is now seeking to make a point of.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The great news here, Senator Wong, is that you have an opportunity to put that amendment in law—in legislation—not a handshake agreement between the Leader of the Opposition and the government. We have an opportunity not to include it as a second reading amendment with no force but to actually put it in the bill, in legislation, so it has to happen. So on the basis that it reflects the vote that we've just taken, and given that this is an amendment that was proposed by you on behalf of the Australian Labor Party, I assume you will support it.

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

I move as an amendment to Senator Di Natale's motion:

Omit, "as would prevent him moving that amendment", substitute "as would prevent Senator Cormann moving—That the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and this bill be now passed"

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

The advice is that Senator Cormann is moving an amendment to your motion to suspend and it is therefore in order. So I will put Senator Cormann's amendment without debate. The question is that the amended suspension motion be agreed to.

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

I thank the Senate. I move:

That the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and this bill be now passed.

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

The question is the motion moved by Senator Cormann be agreed to.