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

I'm going to the second deferred motion from yesterday, on Senate Ayres's closure motion. Are you seeking the call, Senator Ruston?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday afternoon, when this vote was put, there was a little confusion in the chamber in relation to the timing of this. My understanding was that Senator Roberts was in the chamber and was in continuation on this motion. Through the confusion, the call was given to the minister. I think Senator Roberts drew to the attention of the chamber that he was in continuation and sought to be able to finish his remarks on this motion. I would seek for Senator Roberts to be able to finish his contribution on this motion before the matter is put to the chamber.

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

That's correct, Senator Ruston. I spoke to Senator Roberts this morning. I believe leave was sought from the government and the government was happy to give leave. I'm not sure what Senator Roberts wants to do at this point. If he wants to move back to his spot, he can make a contribution.

I do remind all senators in this place that if you are seeking the call or you are unsure of where we are up to, stand and the chair will ask you what it is you are seeking. That is my best advice—seek the call. Senator Roberts? I'm assuming we're giving leave to hear from Senator Roberts?

Leave granted.

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

I thank the opposition and I thank the government for the opportunity to speak further in continuance. I haven't got my notes with me, and I want to—

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

Just a moment, Senator Roberts. Senator Hanson-Young, are you on a point of order?

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Point of order: if Senator Roberts wishes to seek leave, he should seek leave. You can't just assume that leave has been granted.

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

I did ask for leave to be granted.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, you said, 'I assume.'

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

Yes, and I assumed leave was granted, and I was nodded at by both the government and the opposition. Senator Chisholm, on the same point of order?

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

I was just going to say that the government had indicated we were happy to give Senator Roberts leave for this.

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

Just before you resume again, Senator Roberts, I do remind—as feisty as the Senate can get, one of the things that does impress me about this Senate is that it is generous when mistakes are made or when senators miss the call. I just remind all senators of that convention of this Senate. Senator McKim, is this a point of order?

Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is, yes. The point of order, President, with respect, is that any one senator can deny leave. It's not a matter for the government or the opposition. I ask you to put it to the Senate and ask whether leave is granted. That would give any individual senator their right to actually deny Senator Roberts leave.

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

I believe that I did that, Senator McKim. And, yes, I did do it in the terms of 'I'm assuming leave is granted'. I looked to the government and there was a 'yes' nod, and I looked to the opposition and there was also a 'yes' nod.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! I remind senators there was no objection at the time until I gave Senator Roberts the right to seek—

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're meant to be the President for the whole chamber.

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

Senator Shoebridge, you are being disorderly.

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're being disrespectful.

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

Senator Shoebridge, I'm going to ask you to withdraw that comment.

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

President, you have been repeatedly told you have to be a president for the whole chamber, not just for the club.

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

Senator Shoebridge, I asked you—

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Your behaviour is disrespectful to the crossbench.

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

I ask you to withdraw that comment.

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You have been behaving disrespectfully to the crossbench.

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

Senator Shoebridge, resume your seat. Senator Scarr, I will come to you. I indicated to the Senate that one of the conventions in this place has been always generous towards senators who miss votes or who miss a call. We often recommit votes. Now, I did ask. I did seek leave. I am asking you, Senator Shoebridge, to withdraw the comment that you made in relation to me, which was disrespectful.

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

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

Thank you. I'm going to go to Senator Scarr, who was also on a point of order.

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam President, I'm pleased Senator Shoebridge withdrew, but I just wanted to note I discerned that there was a gap between when you said you assumed leave was granted.

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

Thank you, Senator Scarr. I am going to give Senator Roberts the call. Senator Roberts.

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

Thank you. I haven't got my notes with me, and I want to be careful with what I say because there are names involved. So, if that opportunity is to speak now, then I decline, but if it is to speak at another occasion, then I will.

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

I'll leave you to make those arrangements with other parties in this place. Thank you, Senator Roberts. The question is I'll deal with a deferred vote relating to a—Senator Ruston.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

President, I seek some clarification as to whether it's appropriate to vote on this particular motion until contributions have been concluded, given that Senator Roberts is—

An honourable senator: You can't hold it off forever.

I'm not suggesting you hold it off forever. I'm just seeking whether it would be appropriate to wait until after Senator Roberts has finished his contribution to make a vote.

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

Thank you, Senator Ruston. As most senators would be aware, this vote is in the hands of the Senate. It is not for me to direct the vote one way or the other. I understand that there is an agreement through the Senate to put this motion now. That's what I intend to do. It is my intention to put the vote, unless there is some other indication from the Senate, which I am not seeing.

Senator Ruston, as I said to you, that is not a decision that I can make.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I was just going to ask you about what is the process for me to seek for the Senate to indicate whether it wishes for the vote to proceed now or whether the Senate would be prepared to wait to have the vote until after Senator Roberts has concluded.

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

I can only put the motion. I'm in the hands of the Senate. If senators agree with the motion, they can vote for it. If they disagree with it, they can vote against it.

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

I understand there is no motion before the Senate so I ask that the vote be deferred until after I've finished speaking.

The:

But there is a motion before the Senate, Senator Roberts. It was agreed this morning.

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

Acting in good faith, I seek leave to withdraw the motion and close the debate.

Leave granted.

I withdraw the motion.