House debates

Thursday, 25 November 2010

Business

Days and Hours of Meeting

12:59 pm

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | | Hansard source

On indulgence, I update the House with the state of play. For the benefit of members, the Senate has resolved to sit until 10 pm this evening and tomorrow from 9 am to 3.30 pm. This is to deal with the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2010. We would anticipate that there will be a very long schedule of amendments to this bill. The bill will have to return to the House for final determination. I will report to the House again later this day about arrangements, but I would anticipate that certainly the House will now not conclude at 5 pm. The House will continue to sit. When we continue to sit to is largely in the hands of the Senate. So I would suggest that those people who might know people who are senators might want to have a discussion with their colleagues about a common-sense approach to these issues. It is clear that determinations will not change, just the inconvenience. It may well be that we will be returning here tomorrow. It may well be that we will be returning here on Monday. When we make a determination I will report back to the House later this day.