Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That:

(a) the President may alter the day and time of the next meeting of the Senate at the request of, or the agreement of, the Leader of the Government in the Senate and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, and the time of meeting shall be notified to each senator;

(b) the Senate may meet in a manner and form not otherwise provided in the standing orders with the agreement of the Leader of the Government in the Senate and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, and that the rules and orders necessary to constitute such a meeting may be determined by the Procedure Committee; and

(c) leave of absence be granted to every member of the Senate from the end of the sitting today, to the day on which the Senate next meets.

In moving the motion I place on record that this is moved as a contingency. Certain steps have been taken over the last year to ensure the effective management of the chamber through these extraordinary times. The government moves this motion with no intent to necessarily use any provisions within it at this time, and it clearly provides for consultation and agreement, particularly with the opposition, should any provisions of it be used.

Question agreed to.