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

I present the second report of 2013 of the Procedure Committee.

Ordered that the report be printed.

by leave—I move:

That consideration of the report be made a Business of the Senate order of the day for the next day of sitting.

The report I have just presented makes two recommendations for consideration by the Senate. But, in order to give senators time to examine the proposals, I am moving that the report not be considered until early next year. The first recommendation proposes the permanent adoption of the five-, 10- and 20-minute time limits for the open-ended adjournment debate on Tuesdays. The committee believes that the trial has worked successfully and that senators find the new arrangements convenient. In these circumstances, there is no reason for the changes not to become permanent.

The second recommendation completes the last instalment of changes required to ensure that standing orders are framed in gender-neutral language. It proposes to replace the term 'Chairman' with the term 'Chair'. Currently both terms are used inconsistently throughout the standing orders and the committee considered it was time to standardise the language.

I also draw the attention of senators to the committee's consideration of whether absolute privilege should be extended on the republication of extracts of Hansard. The committee is of the view that it should not be, but senators interested in this issue will find a comprehensive discussion paper in attachment 1 to the report. I commend the motion to the Senate.

Question agreed to.