PRESIDENT, The

The PRESIDENT (19:21): We now come to the last part of this chain of events. The question now is that the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to. Senator Jacinta Collins: No, you skipped one. The PRESIDENT: That's an unnecessary stage. I've been speaking to the Clerk about this. Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, I have just been dealing with the Clerk about this matter and I've been advised that that is not necessary. Senator Wong: So you're going to truncate it even more and not even have a debate on whether or not the bill should be agreed to. The PRESIDENT: No. If I could complete the reading out of the motion: I've taken advice from the Clerk, Senator Wong, and the question now is that the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and the bill be now passed with amendments. It is not necessary to have that particular motion in this chain of events— Senator Jacinta Collins: This running sheet is what was circulated. Senator Wong: We are already in an extraordinary procedure which has been following a document which has been circulated in the chamber. You are now seeking to amend that document, and I'd ask you not to. I'd ask you to simply proceed with the question. It may be a guide and you may know what you're doing, but— Opposition senators interjecting— Senator Wong: You may; who knows? The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong— Senator Cormann interjecting— Senator Wong: You know you would have had the vote now if you'd— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, please address me rather than Senator Cormann. This was circulated in the chamber. It is a guide and a courtesy. The rulings on procedure— Senator Wong: I am requesting 'that the bill, as amended, be agreed to' as a question. The PRESIDENT: And I am advised by the Clerk that that is an unnecessary stage in this chain of events and the final matter remaining to be dealt with is 'that the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and this bill be now passed with amendments'. Senator Collins, are you raising a point of order? Senator Jacinta Collins: Yes, I am. As a courtesy, given the clerks would have advised the construction of this document in the first instance and we've been given no notice of the change, I would ask as a courtesy that we continue to follow the program that we have had in front of us and we ask the next question. The PRESIDENT: That is a courtesy document. Senator Jacinta Collins: It's unprecedented if you do that. You're politicising yourself. The PRESIDENT: Senator Collins, really? I'm taking advice from the Clerk. I've ruled on the point of order and I've granted opposition senators latitude in this particular part— Senator Jacinta Collins: There's no latitude on this. The PRESIDENT: Senator Collins, can you remain silent while I'm ruling from the chair. I have granted the opposition courtesy to raise a number of issues in— Senator Jacinta Collins: This is not courtesy. You should have told us of the changes. The PRESIDENT: Senator Collins, I was advised two minutes ago during the last division. Resume your seat while I finish ruling on your point of order. I have granted the opposition latitude during a part of the Senate where there was to be no debate or discussion. I am now putting this motion. The question is— Senator Jacinta Collins: Mr President, I didn't raise a point of order. I sought a courtesy on the basis that you are referring to Clerk's advice that has not been before anyone else here. There was no notice of it. I asked that the courtesy of following the program that has been circulated be followed. The PRESIDENT: I have ruled, Senator Collins. I have granted the opposition— Senator Jacinta Collins interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Really! Senator Jacinta Collins interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Collins, you have been granted latitude today during a session of the Senate that was specifically— An honourable senator interjecting— The PRESIDENT: It is an order of the Senate that this matter be proceeded with without debate or discussion. You have been granted latitude— Senator Jacinta Collins interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Collins, you should reflect on your opportunity to save face, given the accusations you have just made. The question now is that the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and the bill be now passed with amendments.