Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

(1) The hours of meeting shall be from 9.30 am to adjournment, and the routine of business shall be:

(a) government business only;

(b) at 1.30 pm, statements pursuant to standing order 57(4);

(c) at 2 pm, questions;

(d) motions to take note of answers;

(e) at 3.30 pm, notices of motion;

(f) postponement and rearrangement of business;

(g) motions relating to the membership of committees, if any;

(h) messages from the House of Representatives to be reported;

(i) adjournment proposed and debated for no more than 30 minutes, with

each senator speaking for not more than 5 minutes; and

(j) adjournment.

(2) If it is the final day for consideration of a motion or motions of disallowance, the routine of business be varied to require that the motion or motions be called on for debate at 3.30 pm, with each senator speaking for not more than 5 minutes each, and the questions necessary to determine the motion or motions put at 4 pm.

(3) If a division is called for after 3.30 pm, other than in relation to a disallowance motion considered in accordance with paragraph (2), then the division shall be taken on the next day of sitting, at a time fixed by the Senate.

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move the following amendment to the motion:

(1) Omit paragraphs (1) to (3), substitute:

(1) The hours of meeting shall be from 9.30 am to adjournment, and the routine of business shall be:

(a) government business only;

(b) messages from the House of Representatives may be reported at any time; and

(c) at 3.30 pm, adjournment without debate.

(2) If it is the final day for consideration of a motion or motions of disallowance, the routine of business be varied to require that the motion or motions be called on for debate at 3 pm, with each senator speaking for not more than 5 minutes each, and the questions necessary to determine the motion or motions put at 3.30 pm.

We see the need for meeting on Fridays to cover more of the bills that the government wants to push through the Senate. Fridays, in my opinion, should be for government business to deal with the bills. As it is now, the government is proposing to deal with the bills for four hours, but, with the amendment that's being circulated in my name, it would be seven hours—almost doubling the amount of time. That would cut back the need for guillotines and allow proper debate of bills that the government puts up. Instead of theatre, we would like to see debate completed on those bills. Whatever the will of the Senate is, I will abide by it, but I think it is prudent to remind the Senate that we are masters of the Senate and that it is up to the Senate to decide whether it will support my amendment or not.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the amendment moved by Senator Roberts be agreed to.

A division having been called and the bells being rung—

Lock the doors. Before I put the question on the amendment moved by Senator Roberts, I remind senators that when a division is called it requires more than one voice. On this occasion I am fairly certain that the second voice came from the Jacqui Lambie Network. Under standing order 100 you can't seek to vote for an amendment and then vote against the amendment, so at this point that amendment is not carried. I'm going to put the substantive motion. I am happy, Senator Roberts, to record your support for that amendment. That has now lapsed.

I now put the question on the substantive motion, which is the hours motion moved by Senator Chisholm. It's an hours motion in relation to Friday the 24th. It has been circulated. The question is that that motion be agreed to.

Question agreed to.