Senator JACINTA COLLINS (Victoria—Acting Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) (12:25): I think it's important to highlight this issue and I still think it's important for senators to have in writing before us the motion that's being put, which is why I circulated the motion in the name of Senator Wong. There is an important issue here, and Senator Birmingham now has— The PRESIDENT: Senator Collins, this is not a debate on the motion. I'm taking this as a point of clarification although that, obviously, doesn't really exist in the standing orders. The minister has effectively closed the debate with the response there. Senator Jacinta Collins: No, he hasn't closed the debate. The PRESIDENT: That is my advice. We're not debating the motion, because you are on your feet again. I took the minister responding to your query and I am now taking this as a further query of the minister, or a response to that, to facilitate the operation of the chamber. But, other than that, I am required to follow standing orders and put the motion to a vote. Senator Jacinta Collins: I can speak to the motion. The PRESIDENT: Are we now moving into debate on the motion? It was put to me that the previous— Senator Jacinta Collins: I'm happy for my contribution at this stage to be dealt with as either. It can be a further point of clarification on where we are with amendments that haven't been circulated in the chamber, which is pretty poor practice, because—unlike what Senator Birmingham said—it is different to the one that was circulated in the name of Senator Wong— The PRESIDENT: To facilitate the operation of the chamber, Senator Collins— Senator Jacinta Collins: or I'm happy to do it as part of this debate— The PRESIDENT: Senator Collins, please. I'm going to insist that when I'm speaking all senators remain silent. It is a habit that has crept in this week and it does prohibit other senators from— Senator Jacinta Collins interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I'm allowed to interrupt a senator from the chair, Senator Collins. I was about to grant your request— Senator Jacinta Collins interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I was about to respond to your request. Please let me conclude before there's further interaction. I took your first query as seeking clarification from the minister. It is a fair point you raise. He responded to that. If you now wish to debate the motion you can.