Barnaby Joyce Queensland, National Party
3:47 pm
I ask that business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name pertaining to an Economics Committee inquiry into Foreign Investment Review Board guidelines be taken as a formal motion.
Annette Hurley SA, Australian Labor Party
by leave—I advise the Senate that the motion was standing in my name also, but I am withdrawing my association with it. I would have preferred to defer consideration of this motion to get agreement across parties on the important and substantive issues of this motion. It has not been possible to get agreement with Senator Joyce on postponing the motion to have discussions on the terms of reference and I prefer that the motion does not proceed under these circumstances.
Alan Ferguson Deputy-President
Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal?
Bob Brown Tasmania, Australian Greens
Yes. I want to inform the Senate, if I may—
Alan Ferguson Deputy-President
There is an objection. You will need to seek leave.
Bob Brown Tasmania, Australian Greens
I seek leave—if you insist, Mr Deputy President.
Ian Macdonald Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern Australia
Mr Deputy President, I raise a point of order. Did Senator Brown indicate that he was refusing formality?
Alan Ferguson Deputy-President
Senator Brown, were you refusing formality?
Ian Macdonald Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern Australia
And you want leave to speak!
Alan Ferguson Deputy-President
Order! And you are seeking leave to speak? Is leave granted?
Leave not granted.