Senate debates

Thursday, 14 May 2009

Business

Consideration of Legislation

9:35 am

Photo of Joe LudwigJoe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the following bills, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings:Financial Assistance Legislation Amendment Bill 2009Social Security and Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (2009 Budget Measures) Bill 2009Tax Laws Amendment (Small Business and General Business Tax Break) Bill 2009.

Question agreed to.

Photo of Stephen ParryStephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

by leave—Whilst we have granted our consent to the cut-off provisions for these bills and support them, we just want to explain that we understand the nature of some of the bills that need to be granted exemption but on this occasion we feel as though there are some—in particular, the legislation that is not urgent—that have been with the government for some time and could have been managed in a far more effective manner. Having said that, whilst we have facilitated the government on this occasion, as we have done in the past, we are not just going to agree willy-nilly to exemptions to the cut-off on every occasion without further debate.