Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That consideration of government business continue from 6.50 pm till 7.20 pm today.

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We have not been consulted on this matter and we will not support it. If the Manager of Government Business in the Senate cares not to consult with the crossbenchers on matters like this then he can go without the change of hours coming from us.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I notice some braying from Senator Boswell and others, who apparently have been in discussions with Senator Ludwig about this. Senator Macdonald is supporting them on this as well, but that is up to them; we do not.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I just checked with my office because I wanted to make sure people had been consulted in relation to this. There is now some doubt in my mind as to whether Senator Brown's office was consulted. We did understand that one of my staff had spoken to Senator Brown's staff. I am now in some doubt as to whether or not the message passed through the various channels. It is always with the consent of the chamber that we change hours. If I do not have the consent of everyone in the chamber then I certainly will not be proceeding with the motion. If everyone in the chamber does not want to use this time to deal with the Carbon Farming Initiative then I am happy to accept that and I can withdraw the motion.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are seeking leave to withdraw the motion?

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am just going to test the water first.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ludwig is seeking leave to withdraw the motion.

Leave granted.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw the motion.