Senate debates Committees
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference
Sue Lines President
4:03 pm
I'm going to the second deferred motion from yesterday, on Senate Ayres's closure motion. Are you seeking the call, Senator Ruston?
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care
Yesterday afternoon, when this vote was put, there was a little confusion in the chamber in relation to the timing of this. My understanding was that Senator Roberts was in the chamber and was in continuation on this motion. Through the confusion, the call was given to the minister. I think Senator Roberts drew to the attention of the chamber that he was in continuation and sought to be able to finish his remarks on this motion. I would seek for Senator Roberts to be able to finish his contribution on this motion before the matter is put to the chamber.
Sue Lines President
That's correct, Senator Ruston. I spoke to Senator Roberts this morning. I believe leave was sought from the government and the government was happy to give leave. I'm not sure what Senator Roberts wants to do at this point. If he wants to move back to his spot, he can make a contribution.
I do remind all senators in this place that if you are seeking the call or you are unsure of where we are up to, stand and the chair will ask you what it is you are seeking. That is my best advice—seek the call. Senator Roberts? I'm assuming we're giving leave to hear from Senator Roberts?
Leave granted.
Malcolm Roberts Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party
4:05 pm
I thank the opposition and I thank the government for the opportunity to speak further in continuance. I haven't got my notes with me, and I want to—
Sue Lines President
Just a moment, Senator Roberts. Senator Hanson-Young, are you on a point of order?
Sarah Hanson-Young SA, Australian Greens
Point of order: if Senator Roberts wishes to seek leave, he should seek leave. You can't just assume that leave has been granted.
Sue Lines President
Yes, and I assumed leave was granted, and I was nodded at by both the government and the opposition. Senator Chisholm, on the same point of order?
Anthony Chisholm Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education
I was just going to say that the government had indicated we were happy to give Senator Roberts leave for this.
Sue Lines President
Just before you resume again, Senator Roberts, I do remind—as feisty as the Senate can get, one of the things that does impress me about this Senate is that it is generous when mistakes are made or when senators miss the call. I just remind all senators of that convention of this Senate. Senator McKim, is this a point of order?
Nick McKim Tasmania, Australian Greens
It is, yes. The point of order, President, with respect, is that any one senator can deny leave. It's not a matter for the government or the opposition. I ask you to put it to the Senate and ask whether leave is granted. That would give any individual senator their right to actually deny Senator Roberts leave.
Sue Lines President
I believe that I did that, Senator McKim. And, yes, I did do it in the terms of 'I'm assuming leave is granted'. I looked to the government and there was a 'yes' nod, and I looked to the opposition and there was also a 'yes' nod.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Order! I remind senators there was no objection at the time until I gave Senator Roberts the right to seek—
David Shoebridge NSW, Australian Greens
You're meant to be the President for the whole chamber.
Sue Lines President
Senator Shoebridge, I'm going to ask you to withdraw that comment.
David Shoebridge NSW, Australian Greens
President, you have been repeatedly told you have to be a president for the whole chamber, not just for the club.
David Shoebridge NSW, Australian Greens
Your behaviour is disrespectful to the crossbench.
David Shoebridge NSW, Australian Greens
You have been behaving disrespectfully to the crossbench.
Sue Lines President
Senator Shoebridge, resume your seat. Senator Scarr, I will come to you. I indicated to the Senate that one of the conventions in this place has been always generous towards senators who miss votes or who miss a call. We often recommit votes. Now, I did ask. I did seek leave. I am asking you, Senator Shoebridge, to withdraw the comment that you made in relation to me, which was disrespectful.
Sue Lines President
Thank you. I'm going to go to Senator Scarr, who was also on a point of order.
Paul Scarr Queensland, Liberal Party
Madam President, I'm pleased Senator Shoebridge withdrew, but I just wanted to note I discerned that there was a gap between when you said you assumed leave was granted.
Sue Lines President
Thank you, Senator Scarr. I am going to give Senator Roberts the call. Senator Roberts.
Malcolm Roberts Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party
Thank you. I haven't got my notes with me, and I want to be careful with what I say because there are names involved. So, if that opportunity is to speak now, then I decline, but if it is to speak at another occasion, then I will.
Sue Lines President
I'll leave you to make those arrangements with other parties in this place. Thank you, Senator Roberts. The question is I'll deal with a deferred vote relating to a—Senator Ruston.
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care
President, I seek some clarification as to whether it's appropriate to vote on this particular motion until contributions have been concluded, given that Senator Roberts is—
An honourable senator: You can't hold it off forever.
I'm not suggesting you hold it off forever. I'm just seeking whether it would be appropriate to wait until after Senator Roberts has finished his contribution to make a vote.
Sue Lines President
Thank you, Senator Ruston. As most senators would be aware, this vote is in the hands of the Senate. It is not for me to direct the vote one way or the other. I understand that there is an agreement through the Senate to put this motion now. That's what I intend to do. It is my intention to put the vote, unless there is some other indication from the Senate, which I am not seeing.
Senator Ruston, as I said to you, that is not a decision that I can make.
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care
No, I was just going to ask you about what is the process for me to seek for the Senate to indicate whether it wishes for the vote to proceed now or whether the Senate would be prepared to wait to have the vote until after Senator Roberts has concluded.
Sue Lines President
I can only put the motion. I'm in the hands of the Senate. If senators agree with the motion, they can vote for it. If they disagree with it, they can vote against it.
Malcolm Roberts Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party
I understand there is no motion before the Senate so I ask that the vote be deferred until after I've finished speaking.
The:
But there is a motion before the Senate, Senator Roberts. It was agreed this morning.
Anthony Chisholm Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education
4:10 pm
Acting in good faith, I seek leave to withdraw the motion and close the debate.
Leave granted.
I withdraw the motion.