I present letters from the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Evans, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Abetz, requesting me to summon the Senate to meet earlier today to acknowledge the devastation of the earthquake in New Zealand. As a mark of respect to the victims of the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, I ask honourable senators to stand in silence for two minutes.

Honourable senators having stood in their places—

I thank the Senate.

I thank senators for their cooperation. I move:

That the sitting of the Senate be suspended till 12.30 pm today.

Question agreed to.