Joe Ludwig Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate
3:10 pm
Mr President, I rise on a point of order. I have just been notified that there is a change to the program for tomorrow which would move question time to 2.30 pm. I have not had time to find out why. The Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Minchin, might be able to explain what the situation is. To me, it is certainly very late notice.
Paul Calvert President
I am not aware of anything. Maybe someone here can enlighten us. It may well be because of the luncheon for the Prime Minister of Fiji.
Joe Ludwig Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate
It may very well be. If Senator Minchin were listening to me, he might be able to provide some—
John Faulkner NSW, Australian Labor Party
Senator Minchin, you’ve been asked a question.
Nick Minchin SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration
There is no need to be rude about it.
John Faulkner NSW, Australian Labor Party
I will be rude. You’re not listening.
Joe Ludwig Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate
I have just been advised—although I could not get the full explanation—that question time will be moved to 2.30 pm. I will have an opportunity to examine that in detail, but that is the first I have heard of it. Apparently there is a lunch tomorrow. I have asked the President, by way of a point of order, what that situation is and whether it can be clarified by Senator Minchin, as the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Why have we not been notified of that in a more formal way? It would have been helpful to have that explained to us so that we could take it through our usual practices.
Paul Calvert President
I suspect, as I said earlier, that it is due to an official luncheon. Obviously the House of Representatives have put their question time back, and so we fall into line with that. Minister, you might be able to provide an answer.
Nick Minchin SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration
I understand there is some consideration of moving question time in the House of Representatives to 2.30 pm to accommodate the lunch, which I believe is for the Prime Minister of Fiji. Obviously, we would want to align our question time with theirs. I am awaiting advice as to whether question time in the House of Representatives will be moved. I would obviously prefer to remain with a time of 2.00 pm for question time in the Senate, but if there is any change to that we will advise the Senate immediately.