Waters, Sen Larissa

Senator WATERS (Queensland—Leader of the Australian Greens in the Senate) (12:09): I ask that general business notice of motion No. 1167 be taken as a formal motion. The PRESIDENT: At this point, Senator Waters, I am not going to put that question to the Senate. Pursuant to my ruling the other day with respect to standing order 86(1), this matter has been considered by the Senate twice in the last week in two separate circumstances—one upon its introduction. I ruled the other day that, following its introduction, it was to be published, which gave senators the opportunity to see the bill. My ruling was that was a different circumstance. This is the same motion as appeared the other day, where the first reading was denied by the Senate, and I believe that is covered by standing order 86(1), which I'm happy to read out again if necessary but I'm conscious we are limited for time. Senator WATERS: Thanks, Mr President. Pursuant to contingent notice, I move: That so much of the standing orders, in particular standing order 86(1), be suspended as would prevent the motion—namely, the first reading of this bill—from being moved immediately and determined without amendment or debate. The PRESIDENT: That motion is entirely within order. I will put the motion moved by Senator Waters because that would suspend standing order 86(1); and, therefore, the ruling would no longer be relevant. Standing order 86(1) is the standing order that you can't put the same question. It says: A question shall not be proposed if it is the same in substance as any question which has been determined during the same session, unless the order, resolution, or vote on such question was determined more than 6 months previously or has been rescinded. So I think my ruling is quite clear. Senator Waters is taking the appropriate response, which is to move to suspend that standing order to allow reconsideration of the bill.