Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

Pursuant to contingent notice standing in the name of the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Abetz, I move:

That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent me moving a motion to provide for the consider of a matter, namely a motion to give precedence to government business notice of motion No. 1.

I guess I should not be surprised that the opposition have sought to deny the opportunity for this motion to be moved as a formal motion. Sadly, it is another attempt by the opposition to thwart the ability of the government of the day to prosecute and deal with legislation on its agenda. While it does not surprise me that the opposition are not being helpful, I must say it does surprise me that, on this particular occasion with this particular motion, the opposition are not prepared to consider it.

I think it is important, Mr Deputy President, to take you through what this motion is seeking to do. You would be aware, because you are one of the presiding officers of this place, that on Monday, 17 November, the President of the People's Republic of China will be addressing the House of Representatives. That will be an address to which the House will invite senators. On Tuesday, 18 November, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India will be addressing the House of Representatives. Again, the House will invite senators to attend.

So senators will be here on that Monday and on that Tuesday, and it is the strong view of the government that, given we will be here as senators for that ceremonial occasion, we should actually do some work. We should actually do the people's business. We should actually ensure that taxpayers, who will be paying for each of us to come to Canberra to hear those addresses, get value for their taxpayer dollars. That is why we are putting forward that the Senate sit on Monday and on Tuesday. Since we are here on Monday and Tuesday, why don't we go crazy and sit on the Wednesday as well?

There is also the issue of the day of Senate estimates which was postponed as a mark of respect for former Prime Minister Whitlam. We all agree that estimates is an important accountability mechanism. I would have thought that all senators would agree that that schedule of estimates hearings should be adhered to and that we should find another opportunity to transact that business. Given that we will be here Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for regular Senate sitting days, we are proposing that we also be here on Thursday 20 November to transact the business of Senate estimates committees.

It makes sense that since we will be here Monday and Tuesday for those ceremonial occasions that we make it a full week of Senate business. Obviously, the proposition in this motion is that the business of the Senate suspend on the Monday to enable us to join our House colleagues for the important addresses which will take place in that chamber. But I would have thought that this is one of the most eminently sensible propositions that could be put forward in relation to an additional sitting week. I know I do not have to point this out to you, Mr Deputy President. You see a play here ball by ball and see that there isn't the cooperation from those opposite to facilitate the orderly transaction of the Senate business.

I have said before that when we were in opposition I think we were models of cooperation. Of course, there are incredibly contentious bills, and we all agree that debate is robust and it takes time. But there were many other pieces of less contentious legislation whose passage we readily facilitated, and I know Senator Moore, on occasion, does do that. But I suspect that her colleagues in the other place send instructions from time to time that this place not be perhaps as cooperative as some on the other side may like. I am giving those colleagues on the other side the benefit of the doubt.

I think it is a very reasonable proposition that the Senate sit in that week commencing 17 November to transact business, to debate legislation and also to have the make-up day of Senate estimates hearings. I am hopeful that there will be a majority of colleagues who think that is a reasonable proposition.