Senate debates Committees

Legislation Committees; Reference


Katy Gallagher

Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service

11:56 am

I ask that government business notice of motion No. 1, relating to the reference of time-critical bills to legislation committees, be taken as formal.

Sue Lines

Sue Lines President

Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal?

Pauline Hanson

Pauline Hanson Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party

Yes.

Sue Lines

Sue Lines President

There is an objection.

Katy Gallagher

Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service

Pursuant to contingent notice, I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the motion being moved immediately and determined without amendment or debate.

Sue Lines

Sue Lines President

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Gallagher to suspend standing orders be agreed to.

Katy Gallagher

Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service

12:01 pm

I move:

That—

(1) To ensure appropriate consideration of time critical bills by Senate committees, the provisions of all bills introduced into the House of Representatives after 11 May 2023 and up to and including 1 June 2023 that contain substantive provisions commencing on or before 1 July 2023 (together with the provisions of any related bill) are referred to committees for inquiry and report by 13 June 2023.

(2) The committee to which each bill is referred shall be determined in accordance with the allocation of departments and agencies to standing committees agreed to by the Senate.

(3) A committee to which a bill has been referred may determine, by unanimous decision, that there are no substantive matters that require examination and report that fact to the Senate.

(4) This order does not apply in relation to bills which contain:

(a) no provisions other than provisions appropriating revenue or moneys (appropriation bills); and

(b) commencement clauses providing only for the legislation to commence on Royal Assent.

Question agreed to.