Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move a motion relating to the routine of business for today.

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

Is leave granted? Leave is not granted.

A government senator interjecting

You need to actually say yes.

Government senators: Yes.

Thank you. Senator Ayres.

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move that the fair work (registered organisations) amendment—

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

Senator Hanson-Young, you're not even in your seat. Wait just a moment, Senator Ayres. Senator Hanson-Young?

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

You asked whether leave was granted. There was a 'no' from this side.

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

There wasn't a no, Senator Hanson. What I heard was—

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

It's Senator Hanson-Young, and there was a 'no' from this side.

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

Senator Hanson-Young, in this regard I am the umpire, and what I heard was nothing. I re-put it, and I heard yes. I have given Senator Ayres leave.

No, Senator Hanson-Young. I've called it.

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

You actually said there was a no.

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

Senator Hanson-Young, I did not say there was a no, and I'm not in a debate with you. If you sit down, I will explain to you. I asked, 'Was leave granted?' and I heard nothing. Then I re-put it, and I heard a chorus of yes.

Senator Hanson-Young, you're not debating with me. Resume your seat. You are out of order.

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

Learn the rules!

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

Senator Hanson-Young, please withdraw that.

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

I withdraw.

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

Thank you. Senator Ayres.

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move that the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal from Amalgamation) Bill—

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

Senator Ayres, please resume your seat. Senator McKim, you're standing, so I would have come to you. You do not need to shout out 'point of order'.

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

I think the Senate needs some clarity about what just happened, because from where I sat, President, it seemed that you indicated leave had been denied. We took that, on the face of it, to mean that you had heard that there was a denial of leave. I just want to place on the record that the Australian Greens will deny leave to this request.

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

I will explain it once more, and then I am continuing with the business. Senator Ayres stood and asked for leave. I asked, 'Is leave granted?' I heard silence. I heard nothing, so I put it again and there was a chorus of 'yes'. That is my decision. I am standing by it.

Senator Shoebridge, if this is on the same point of order, I don't have to hear you. I'm not going to hear you if you're on the same point of order. Please resume your seat.

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

We have standing orders, not presidential rules!

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

Senator Shoebridge, I'm not entertaining your point of order. Unless you are raising something new, please resume your seat. Senator Ayres?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That

(a) the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal of Amalgamation) Bill 2024 be considered immediately and have precedence over all other business until determined;

(b) the questions on all remaining stages of the bill be put following the passage of this motion; and

(c) divisions may take place for the purpose of the bill.

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

The question is that the motion as moved by Senator Ayres be agreed to.

A division having been called and the bells being rung—

I have been informed by the Clerk that we cannot hold divisions between 1.30 and 2.30, so the vote will be deferred until after 2:30. We will now move to two-minute statements.