Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Chisholm, I move:

That on Thursday, 15 August 2024:

(a) the questions on all remaining stages of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Bill 2024 be put at 12.15 pm;

(b) paragraph (a) operate as a limitation of debate under standing order 142; and

(c) divisions may take place between 1.30 pm and 2 pm until consideration of the bill has concluded.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The coalition, of course, will be opposing this motion. The Senate needs more time to consider and properly scrutinise this bill. Given Senator Cash has advised Minister Watt that we're unable to support this motion because we're in the middle of negotiations with the government to strengthen this legislation and make it fit for purpose, it's unreasonable to demand a guillotine tomorrow considering there's still work to do. We're all negotiating in good faith on how the bill should be changed.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Duniam is correct, and I think it's a matter of public record that discussions have begun between the government and the opposition about the bill itself. The motion which we're currently debating sets a deadline of 12.15 pm tomorrow to pass the bill itself. I note that Senator Cash has publicly said today that the opposition wants to move this and pass this legislation through the Senate tomorrow, so I invite the opposition to nominate an alternative time tomorrow afternoon by which they would be prepared to pass the bill, in line with what Senate Cash has said. I invite the opposition to move an amendment to our motion to nominate a time tomorrow, in line with what Senator Cash has said publicly.

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

The question is that government business No. 1, standing in the name of Senator Chisholm and moved by Senator Gallagher, be agreed to.

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

The question is government business No. 1 standing in the name of Senator Chisholm and moved by Senator Gallagher be agreed to.