Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I support the point of order, Mr Temporary Chairman, that Senator Canavan has very cleverly raised. I will just read out standing order 118(1) in case you are in any doubt:

An amendment may be made to any part of a bill, provided it is relevant to the subject matter of the bill and otherwise in conformity with the rules and orders of the Senate.

Under no understanding of the ordinary words of English can anyone suggest that a bill relating to some tenders can possibly relate to an omnibus bill getting rid of various pieces of legislation and regulation. That bill has nothing whatsoever to do with a substantive amendment to an act requiring that something positive be done. The omnibus bill is about repealing things, getting rid of things. That is why it is called the Omnibus Repeal Day (Spring 2014) Bill—note the word 'repeal'. Under no extension of the English language could you rule that this amendment is in any way relevant to repealing things. I appreciate, Mr Temporary Chairman, that very often chairmen are obliged to say, 'That is the way we do things', but if you are not going to abide by the standing orders of the Senate, why bother having them? It is very clear that an amendment has to be relevant to the subject matter of the bill. Requiring tenders for a submarine is in no way relevant to a bill which deals with the repeal of many other pieces of legislation that have nothing to do with submarines or tenders. I urge you, Mr Temporary Chairman, to rule the amendment out of order. We should proceed with the business of the Senate as set out in the red.