Wendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Sharma, I move:

That the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee hold an additional meeting during supplementary Budget estimates 2025-26 on Friday, 5 December 2025 from 9 am to allow for the allocation of additional time to the following departments and agencies:

(a) an additional 40 minutes for the Department of Parliamentary Services and the Parliamentary Service Commissioner;

(b) an additional 110 minutes for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet; and

(c) an additional 30 minutes for the Australian Electoral Commission.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government will be opposing this motion. The Senate agreed to the dates and times for the supplementary budget estimates hearings earlier this year. The motion moved by the government, and agreed by the Senate, included an additional four days of estimates above what would usually occur. This motion from Senator Sharma either pre-empts the proceedings of the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee or is an admission by the opposition that they can't manage their own time during estimates hearings. It is the usual convention that the committee determines whether a spillover hearing is required after the scheduled hearings have concluded. There are mechanisms for senators and committees to request and schedule those hearings under the standing orders that do not require a motion in the Senate.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 279 standing in the name of Senator Sharma be agreed to.