Senate debates Bills

Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019; Second Reading


Katy Gallagher

Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance

10:20 am

I move the second reading amendment, a very simple and important amendment, that has been circulated in my name on sheet 8851:

At the end of the motion add:

", and further consideration of the bill be made an order of the day for the first sitting day after the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs has laid on the table all documents relating to negotiations between the Government and Senator Jacqui Lambie in relation to this bill".

Penny Wong

Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate

I move:

That the question be now put on the amendment.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President

My advice from the Clerk, Senator Wong, is that we cannot have a closure motion put when the Senate is under proceedings set by a time management debate that we have just determined.

Penny Wong

Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate

I seek leave to move that the amendment just moved by the Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate be now put.

Leave is not granted.

Do I have the option of seeking to suspend standing orders, Mr President?

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President

I'm going to take some counsel from the Clerk.

Penny Wong

Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate

I'm asking the Clerk.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President

My guessing is getting better, I have to say.

Penny Wong

Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate

It has to be an absolute majority.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President

Because there is no contingent notice on the Notice Paper for this matter, it would require an absolute majority of the Senate for the motion to succeed. But you do have the option to seek a suspension that is not on contingent notice.