Senator DEAN SMITH (Western Australia—Chief Government Whip in the Senate) (11:59): I seek leave to make a short statement. The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator DEAN SMITH: Just by way of explanation: while it is unusual to deny leave, it is important to put on the record the fact that the amendment to this particular motion was circulated very, very late—perhaps immediately prior to the beginning of this part of the business of the Senate. In addition to that, it is important that senators be given an opportunity to canvass the views of other senators before making significant amendments to a motion.