Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I just wanted to address at this time, ahead of taking note of answers, the matter that has been raised by Senator Lambie and the crossbench regarding allocation of time in taking note of answers. When this matter was first proposed to be referred to the procedure committee, I did write to Senator Lambie and copied other senators setting out two proposals the government would support. I understand that Senator Sheldon has also engaged with his counterparts in order to try obtaining agreement to one of these proposals. I understand that, at this stage, the opposition have not been able to agree to any outcome.

I would just make this point: the government supports agreement in the chamber to facilitate greater opportunity for crossbench contributions during the take note debate. We do believe the chamber works best when conventions are agreed and observed. We do urge the opposition to recognise the request of the crossbench to be reasonably represented on the debate to take not of answer and to avoid unnecessary further inquiry. We won't be objecting, and we will be supporting Senator Lambie's referral to the procedure committee, but it would be much preferable for senators to work constructively to reach agreement on the allocation of time.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—Whilst I appreciate the comments of Senator Wong, the matter will be referred to the procedure committee, and it is the opposition's position that that is the appropriate place for this to be discussed—not in comments that Senator Wong has just made, yet again pontificating and seeking to direct us on our side to make a decision. We will do it through the channels that are agreed, which is a referral to the Procedures Committee.