Senator Hurley to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Economics Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Thursday, 12 March 2009, from 6.30 pm, to take evidence for the committee’s inquiry into bank mergers.

Senator Polley to move on the next day of sitting:

That the time for the presentation of the report of the Finance and Public Administration Committee on annual reports tabled by 31 October 2008 be extended to 19 March 2009.

Senator Crossin to move on the next day of sitting:

That the time for the presentation of the report of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on annual reports tabled by 31 October 2008 be extended to 17 March 2009.

Senator Sterle to move on the next day of sitting:

That the time for the presentation of reports of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee be extended as follows:

(a)

natural resource management and conservation challenges—to 12 May 2009;

(b)

management of the Murray-Darling Basin system—to 12 May 2009; and

(c)

2008-09 additional estimates—to 31 March 2009.

Senator Sterle to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Monday, 16 March 2009, from 4.45 pm, to take evidence for the committee’s inquiry into the management of the Murray-Darling Basin system.

Senator Bob Brown to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes:

(i)

the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising of 10 March 1959 and the Dalai Lama’s exile to India, and

(ii)

the continuing human rights concerns in Tibet;

(b)

acknowledges the Tibetans’ half century of peaceful resistance to policies undermining their religion, culture and livelihoods and expresses solidarity with the Tibetan people;

(c)

notes with concern the Chinese Government’s outright rejection of the Tibetans’ Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People, a detailed proposal for resolving the Tibet issue through proper implementation of existing provisions for regional ethnic autonomy contained in the constitution of the People’s Republic of China; and

(d)

acknowledges that recent unilateral efforts by concerned governments, including Australia, have failed to secure meaningful negotiations on Tibet’s future.

Senator Bob Brown to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that, according to the Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco), the Chinese Government has potential control over Chinalco through the power of appointment and removal of the president and members of the executive committee of Chinalco exercisable by the State Council and the State Assets Supervision and Administration Committee; and

(b)

calls on the Treasurer (Mr Swan) not to approve Chinalco’s proposed deal with the Rio Tinto group unless he can be assured that a foreign government does not have the capacity to appoint or remove any of Chinalco’s staff.

Senator Bob Brown to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

supports the measures to address the excesses of executives in the United States of America proposed by President Obama which include:

(i)

a $500 000 salary cap for executives of companies which have received financial support from the government,

(ii)

a limit on executive compensation packages to be in restricted stock that will not vest until taxpayers are reimbursed,

(iii)

tougher restrictions on ‘golden parachute’ severance payments, particularly on banks, and

(iv)

new transparency rules on corporate jets, office renovations and entertainment which require companies to publicise large expenditures; and

(b)

calls on the Government to introduce similar measures in Australia.

Senator Fisher to move on the next day of sitting:

That the time for the presentation of the report of the Select Committee on the National Broadband Network be extended to 22 June 2009.

Senator Ludwig to move on the next day of sitting:

That—

(1)

On Monday, 16 March 2009:

(a)

the hours of meeting shall be noon to 6.30 pm and 7 pm to 11.30 pm;

(b)

the routine of business from 7 pm shall be government business only; and

(c)

the question for the adjournment of the Senate shall be proposed at 10.50 pm.

(2)

On Tuesday, 17 March 2009:

(a)

the hours of meeting shall be 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm and 7 pm to 11.40 pm;

(b)

the routine of business from 7 pm shall be government business only; and

(c)

the question for the adjournment of the Senate shall be proposed at 11 pm.

Senator Ludlam to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes the presence in the chamber during question time on Thursday, 12 March 2009, of three members of the Parliament of Burma, democratically-elected in the 1990 election but denied the right to exercise their mandate; and

(b)

expresses its support for the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma.

Senator Ludlam to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that:

(i)

13 March is recognised as Burma Human Rights Day,

(ii)

the global campaign ‘Free Burma’s Political Prisoners Now!’ will commence on 13 March 2009,

(iii)

the democratically-elected parliament was not convened in Burma after the 1990 election, and

(iv)

the referendum on the current constitution held immediately following Cyclone Nargis was a sham and the result cannot be considered credible;

(b)

calls on the Australian Government to:

(i)

use all diplomatic means to encourage the Burmese regime to make meaningful progress towards democracy and to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,

(ii)

refuse to endorse the outcomes of the election in 2010 unless the political climate improves in Burma,

(iii)

press the Burmese regime to engage in genuine multi-party talks leading to an inclusive, open and transparent political process, including constitutional reform, and

(iv)

engage other nations through the United Nations and other multilateral fora to press for multiparty talks and an inclusive, open and transparent political process; and

(c)

expresses its support for the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma.