Zed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move a motion relating to the consideration of legislation.

Leave not granted.

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Carr, it's a simple procedure motion for the bill to be acted on now. I believe that is correct. You have a question or point of order?

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes. On the last day of sitting, if you wish to change anything in regard to procedural questions, it is of common courtesy to actually show the opposition. We haven't seen this motion and we can't agree to leave until we actually view the motion itself. Can we have a look at it first? Can you come back to in a moment? If it is just a straightforward matter, I'm sure we can grant leave in the break.

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just bring the House to attention now. Thank you, Senator Carr, for your point of order. Minister, would you like to add something? You have the call.

Zed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Indeed, it's a procedural motion. I'm advised it's to exempt the bill from the cut-off motion to allow it to be considered now, so it's not changing what people anticipated would be happening; it's a procedural motion that the Clerk has given us in order to allow the debate to occur. I'm happy to show you.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's all it is? It's just a procedural motion?

Zed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's all it is. I will be moving the motion, so you can argue against if it you didn't support it.

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Do you want to perhaps ask the question to seek leave again?

Zed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will. I seek leave to move a motion relating to the consideration of legislation.

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry; resume your seat, Minister. Do you have a point of order, Senator Waters?

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We do not have a copy of what is being moved, but, if the minister is about to read it out, I'm all ears.

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, you have the call. Read it out and explain it to the Senate, please.

Zed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the Fair Work Amendment (Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2018, allowing it to be considered during this period of sittings.

I also table a statement of reasons justifying the need for this bill to be considered during these sittings and seek leave to have this statement incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows—

Fair Work Amendment (Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2018

Purpose of the Bill

This Bill introduces new provisions into the Fair Work Act 2009 to include a new minimum entitlement in the National Employment Standards (NES) to five days of unpaid family and domestic violence leave per year.

Reasons for Urgency

Family and domestic violence strikes at the heart of our communities. It threatens workers' ability to hold down a job to provide for themselves and their families.

Sadly, we know from well-established evidence that the Christmas seasons is tragically a time when women and children are particularly vulnerable to the devastating effects of family and domestic violence.

It is therefore imperative that we pass this Bill to enable people who need to take leave to deal with the impact of family and domestic violence to do so safe in the knowledge that their job is protected.

So I have tabled that and I have also moved the motion.

Question agreed to.