House debates Bills
Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2], Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013 [No. 2]; Third Reading
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
10:24 am
I seek leave of the House to move the third reading immediately.
Leave not granted.
I move:
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the remaining stages being passed without delay.
Rob Mitchell McEwen, Australian Labor Party
The Manager of Opposition Business in relation to the motion.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
There are only four speakers left on the list for parliament to be able to have a sensible debate on this issue. At the beginning of this week, when the Leader of the House introduced this bill, he made it clear that he was surprised that we gave leave. We decided to be cooperative so that we could have a substantive debate on the issue, but, like everything that is characterised by this legislation, what they are about is silencing dissent. What they are about is making sure that the additional speakers do not even get heard.
Next week, the Senate is not even on. The chance of this making a difference in the timing for the bill going through is nil. The only thing that the Leader of the House is doing is attempting to make sure that Labor members of parliament are not heard in the debate. That is what this is about. I have a full speaking time of 10 minutes there; my suggestion is that I sit down now—but, Leader of the House, do not silence the third reading. Let the Labor members in the third reading speak for as long as they need to make their case on this substantive issue. It is a reasonable position from us. All we ask is that we have a government that has the courage to not see debate as something purely to be shut down.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
10:35 am
I move:
That the bill be now read a third time.
Clare O'Neil Hotham, Australian Labor Party
Could I just start by expressing my absolute disgust at those on the other side trying to gag my contribution to this bill. Deputy Speaker, I represent 100,000 people in this chamber.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
I move:
That the question be put.
Rob Mitchell McEwen, Australian Labor Party
10:39 am
The question now is that the bill be read a third time.