Bruce Scott (Maranoa, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Before the House considers the Senate message insisting on its amendments to the Health Insurance Amendment (Compliance) Bill 2009 disagreed to by the House on 24 November 2009, I remind the House that it was then informed of constitutional questions raised by these amendments. In short, the view has been taken that the amendments, if enacted, would result in an increase in an appropriation and there is doubt that the Senate may proceed in these circumstances by way of amendment because of section 53 of the Constitution. Copies of the Deputy Speaker’s statement of 24 November 2009 are on the table.

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