Senator McKIM (Tasmania—Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens in the Senate and Australian Greens Whip) (12:22): I'm seeking leave to make a one-minute statement. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: One minute, Senator McKim. Senator McKIM: This is no way to legislate and it's no way to run this Senate chamber. There are 20 pieces of legislation covered by this hours motion. They are going to be ultimately, inevitably rammed through without debate. A large number of them are extremely complex, complicated pieces of legislation and, in some cases, they have extremely complex and complicated amendments. I know that Senator Steele-John has particular concerns about the NDIS bill, which he has a number of complicated amendments to. I want to place on the record his and the Australian Greens' frustration that those amendments and amendments to other bills are going to be put through this place without adequate debate and the legislation is going to be gagged and put through without adequate scrutiny. Today is a sad day for the Senate. The DEPU TY PRESIDENT: The question is that the motion moved by Senator Birmingham be agreed to. I refer senators to standing order 57, which does not allow for divisions at this particular time of the program— Senator Patrick interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Patrick!—so, if there is a requirement for a division, it will have to be deferred. Under the current standing orders, because this motion hasn't been passed, there is no division, so the motion is now carried. Senator Thorpe interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senators, I have deferred that. This routine of business variation is now carried. Senator Thorpe: Shameful! Senator Birmingham: Just on the ruling, this motion was moved at the normal point in terms of the transition of debate in the Senate, immediately following the conclusion of a division. To accommodate the wishes of the crossbench to put opinions leave was granted. However, leave was granted in the midst of a motion that had already been moved for the question to be put, and so I would ask that the question be put in accordance with the motion that had been put to the chamber. The DEPUTY PR ESIDENT: At the moment, because we are under the current standing order, we are actually at senators' statements. I appreciate you're attempting to move a motion. Under that part of the current program no divisions can take place. We agreed that when we put senators' statements in. However, I understand that a division can take place if leave is granted. Because we don't currently have any amendment before the chair we are at senators' statements. You can allow for a division if a senator seeks leave and that leave is agreed to. Senator Patrick: I am just seeking clarification. Because no division is allowed I presume that we continue with the current program, is that correct? The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: That's correct—unless leave is sought. Senator Wong : Just to clarify, I understand you have taken advice and obviously the opposition will support the ruling that's based on the clerk's advice. As I understand it, the fact that this has not been voted on means we now return to the red unamended—the government will have to consider how it wishes to deal with that—which means we'd move to senators' statements now, unless the chamber gives Senator Birmingham leave for the division to occur. I would infer from the previous contributions that that is unlikely to occur. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: I am going to move to senators' statements. I am going to call Senator Bilyk because we are now at senators' statements— Honourable senators interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! We are now at senators' statements. I understand Senator Bilyk has the call. I beg your pardon, Senator Bilyk. Senator Birmingham. Senator Birmingham: I will test the will of the chamber at least. I seek leave to have the division on the motion and then conclusion of those motions, that would be consequential to the initial motion, considered by the Senate. Leave not granted.