Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senators will no doubt be aware that two matters regarding the qualifications of senators have been brought to my attention in recent days, one relating to Senator Culleton and the other concerning former Senator Day. I now table information received from the Leader of the Government in the Senate and the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis, and from Senator Culleton about the first matter. I also table information received from the Special Minister of State, Senator Ryan, and former Senator Day about the second matter.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—As honourable senators are aware, the government proposes to move referrals to the Court of Disputed Returns in relation to both the qualifications of Senator Culleton and the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr Day. The ordinary time to do that would be now but, given the volume of material that has been tabled and following informal discussions between myself and Senator Wong, of which the crossbench have also been apprised, we propose to seek leave of the Senate to move those motions sequentially at 12.30. The motion concerning Mr Day's vacancy will be moved first by Senator Ryan. Upon that motion being disposed of, I will move the motion in relation to Senator Culleton.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I indicate the opposition's broad agreement with the approach taken by the government. We think it is reasonable, given the documents that you have just tabled, Mr President, for senators who may only have been reading about these matters in the press to be able, should they wish, to appraise the documents which have been tabled prior to the motions being discussed. I thank the government for taking up that suggestion, and we indicate our agreement to proceeding with the debate at 12.30.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Leader of the Government in the Senate and the Leader of the Opposition for that information. I assume that leave will be sought later in the day to facilitate that.