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

I listened to Senator Conroy in relative silence. But these are the facts of the matter: if there is any disagreement in any committee meeting that is held while the Senate is sitting, then those committee meetings may as well not be held because nothing that is decided by a majority of 95 per cent matters any more. We obviously have to do something about that, and I hope that in our committee there will be a motion moved to say that we can meet while the Senate is sitting and that we can make decisions that will be valid. As it turned out in this instance, when the standing orders were pointed out, the whole purpose of the meeting became irrelevant. Perhaps Senator Lundy should have taken that point right at the beginning and we could have all gone home and had a meeting tomorrow or next Tuesday by telephone. They are the facts of the matter. I understand that two Labor senators indicated that they would walk out, making the meeting inquorate.