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

Senators, Senator Hanson-Young asked me privately to review the tape on the giving of leave to Senator Ayres shortly before the two-minute statements, as Senator Ayres sought leave to move a motion about the routine of business. I have checked the tape and can confirm that I did initially indicate that leave was denied. It was my mistake to then take a subsequent call of 'yes'. For that, I apologise. Because leave was not properly granted, the Senate should take it that Senator Ayres was not authorised to move the motion. There is therefore no deferred division in respect of the matter proposed by Senator Ayres.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I again seek leave to move a motion relating to the consideration of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal from Amalgamation) Bill 2024. For the information of the Senate, this is substantively the same matter Senator Ayres attempted to move prior to two-minute statements today. If the substantive motion is passed it would have the effect of bringing on the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal from Amalgamation) Bill 2024 immediately, and questions on all remaining stages being put.

Leave not granted.

Pursuant to contingent notice, I move:

That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent me moving a motion to provide for the consideration of a matter, namely a motion to allow a motion relating to the consideration of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal from Amalgamation) Bill 2024 to be moved and determined immediately.

I move:

That the question be now put.

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

The question is that the question be now put on the motion to suspend standing orders.

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

Senators, I am advised there may be further divisions and I intend to use standing order 101(3) for one-minute bells. The question now is that the motion to suspend standing orders be agreed to.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That a motion relating to consideration of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal from Amalgamation) Bill 2024 may be moved immediately and determined without amendment or debate.

I also move:

That the question be now put.

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

The question is that the question be now put.

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

The question now is that the procedural motion moved by Minister Wong be agreed to.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) 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) paragraph (b) operate as a limitation of debate under standing order 142

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

Senators, the procedural motion just agreed to requires that the substantive motion be put without amendment or debate. The question is that the motion be agreed to.

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

President, can I indicate that the opposition are willing to grant leave for a two-minute statement from the Greens if they clarify to the chamber why they've just spent division after division after division voting in defence of John Setka, and whether they can confirm they will never take a cent from Mr Setka and whether there is some nefarious reason behind this strange voting pattern we have just seen from the Australian Greens.

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

Thank you, Senator Birmingham. No-one has stood to seek leave. I'm sure, if they are inclined to, they'll take up your offer.