Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Fifield for the question. I suspect it is probably better directed to the Manager of Government Business, Senator Ludwig, in terms of the detail, as he manages the program and seeks, as I understand it, to work very cooperatively with you, Senator Fifield, in your new role as Manager of Opposition Business. But the legislative agenda is reflected in the red. I see today the orders of the day are the social security bill, the Australian National Preventive Health Agency Bill and the national health amendment bill, and we obviously have the ongoing debate on the Governor-General’s opening speech. So, Mr President, I am not sure what Senator Fifield’s point is. No doubt, there is a cunning plan that will be revealed in the supplementary questions—the usual cunning plans! But, Senator, as you understand, legislation that is passed in the House of Representatives is then forwarded to the Senate for consideration. There are a number of bills that they are considering at the moment that we hope to get to the Senate and through the Senate in the next couple of weeks. There is an important piece of legislation for my portfolio, to do with student services, which will come into the House of Representatives, hopefully, in the next day or so.