Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That:

(a) if by 2 pm on Thursday, 25 September 2014, the National Security Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2014 has not been finally considered the Senate shall not adjourn, the routine of business from not later than 8 pm shall be government business only, and the Senate shall continue to sit until 10 pm; and

(b) divisions may take place after 4.30 pm.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The ALP will be supporting this government motion. We are a little concerned that there was so little time for consultation on the process. We had read into the order of business several times now the ALP commitment to facilitating the movement of this bill, and it is within this fortnight, not within this week. But the government has felt the need to put forward an extra couple of hours to our business today. I know that will cause some disruption for some people, but we are also concerned that the government has moved this bill without allowing any dinner break time or in fact making it clear what will happen with the adjournment process at the end of the day.

It is not just about senators in this place; as we know, it is also for the staff who work in this area, and we thought that, as the hours of business will now be extended beyond 10, it would have been reasonable to have a break in the evening session.

Question agreed to.