Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Minister for Finance and the Public Service, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (16:22): I seek leave to move a motion relating to the routine of business for Thursday, 6 December 2018. Leave not granted. Senator CORMANN: I move: That so much of standing orders be suspended without debate as would prevent us from moving an hours motion. Senator Di Natale: We have a question currently before the chair. The PRESIDENT: The minister is allowed to seek to suspend standing orders on the same basis you were, Senator Di Natale, and I'm required to put that without debate. Senator Di Natale: Are you on special orders to— The PRESIDENT: He is seeking to suspend standing orders to put a motion to allow him to move a change of hours. I put that without debate during debates limited by standing order 142. Senator Di Natale: The advice we received earlier from the Clerk was that while this issue was before the chair, the minister was unable to move an hours motion. You put— The PRESIDENT: You're quite right. I have just spoken to the Clerk and Deputy Clerk. The motion to suspend standing orders, I am told, needs to be relevant to the matter before the chair. Senator Cormann: I would argue that it is because, as part of the hours motion, I seek to adjourn the debate on the bill that we have's and vary hours for the remainder of today with a view to dealing with the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Bill 2018. It will be up to the Labor Party whether they want to facilitate that happening. The PRESIDENT: The motion is moved by Senator Cormann, as— The PRESIDENT: Senator Di Natale, on a point of order? Senator Di Natale: We sought advice on this specific matter. The PRESIDENT: I've got the Clerk next to me, Senator Di Natale, and I've just taken advice from him. Senator Di Natale: The advice we received was very clear and very direct: that while this matter is before the chair, the minister cannot move an hours motion relating to a different matter. The PRESIDENT: Senator Di Natale! On the point of order, Senator Cormann. Senator Cormann: I have previously been advised this is not to be debated. This is actually just going to be— The PRESIDENT: I am seeking advice from the clerks next to me, Senator Di Natale. I am advised that this motion is in order. This is the motion to adjourn debate to bring on the motion he wishes to move. Senator Bernardi: May I seek leave to wish everyone a merry Christmas, because I'm out of here! The PRESIDENT: The question is that the debate be adjourned to allow Senator Cormann to bring on the hours motion. Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I don't have anything in front of me. Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: That was ruled out of order, Senator Wong. The question is— Senator Patrick interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I know what's being done here. I've been facilitating this as quickly as I can from the chair. I am not going to tolerate intentional frustration of the chamber. Senator Patrick, what is your point of order? Be brief. Senator Patrick: I don't think Senator Cormann's microphone was on. I actually couldn't hear what he was saying. The PRESIDENT: The motion is to adjourn this debate to allow Senator Cormann to bring on a motion regarding hours of debate for today. Division required. Ring the bells for one minute. Senator Di Natale: Four minutes. The PRESIDENT: I said one minute previously. It won't make a difference, Senator Di Natale. The question is that the debate on this bill be adjourned to allow Senator Cormann to move a motion with respect to hours of debate for today.