Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

No, because what you are suggesting is that I should have a different interpretation based on the question before the chair. And I do not accept the principle that amendments are of unequal weight. All amendments are important. The Manager of Opposition Business has moved an amendment—he has done so—and the Leader of the House was there seeking the call. The Leader of the House, as you well know, could have moved the closure motion during the Manager of Opposition Business's speech. I don't think he could have moved it after that—after the Manager of Opposition Business was no further heard. I think I did have to call for a seconder. But it remains—

Mr Snowdon interjecting—

It would be helpful if the member for Lingiari didn't interject. It remains the case that the question before the chair was not that the amendment now be disagreed to. That's the case. So the question before the chair is that moved by the Leader of the House, and that is that the question be put.

Honourable members interjecting—

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