Slade Brockman (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present the report of the procedures committee on motions to take note of answers, and I move:

That the Senate take note of the report.

This is basically looking at the issue of taking note after question time and the allocation of time in that half-hour period between the various parties. There had been a referral from the crossbench, I believe, in the previous parliament, and once again in this parliament, for this issue to be considered.

I just want to make a couple of points. The Senate Standing Committee on Procedure has always been of the opinion that it is important to have a representative balance in the taking note period; however, it's not the case that this can be done perfectly on every occasion. It is going to be something that changes with the changing dynamic of this place following elections. The procedure committee is also very keen to emphasise that we are not giving instructions to the whip on how that time is allocated. We are merely providing the whips with some guidance on what could be a path forward. However, at this stage, it is a matter for the various party whips to work out how the crossbench allocation, in particular, is utilised between the parties, based on, perhaps, whoever may have questions on a particular day. However, again, this is something for the whips to consider. The appendix offers some guidance, but it is not a formal direction. It is something for the whips to discuss.

Question agreed to.