Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Assistant Minister for Trade and Assistant Minister for Manufacturing) (13:32): I seek leave to move a motion relating to the routine of business for today. The PRESIDENT: Is leave granted? Leave is not granted. A government senator interjecting— The PRESIDENT: You need to actually say yes. Government senators: Yes. The PRESIDENT: Thank you. Senator Ayres. Senator AYRES: I move that the fair work (registered organisations) amendment— Senator Hanson-Young interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Hanson-Young, you're not even in your seat. Wait just a moment, Senator Ayres. Senator Hanson-Young? Senator Hanson-Young: You asked whether leave was granted. There was a 'no' from this side. The PRESIDENT: There wasn't a no, Senator Hanson. What I heard was— Senator Hanson-Young: It's Senator Hanson-Young, and there was a 'no' from this side. The PRESIDENT: Senator Hanson-Young, in this regard I am the umpire, and what I heard was nothing. I re-put it, and I heard yes. I have given Senator Ayres leave. Senator Hanson-Young interjecting— The PRESIDENT: No, Senator Hanson-Young. I've called it. Senator Hanson-Young: You actually said there was a no. The PRESIDENT: Senator Hanson-Young, I did not say there was a no, and I'm not in a debate with you. If you sit down, I will explain to you. I asked, 'Was leave granted?' and I heard nothing. Then I re-put it, and I heard a chorus of yes. Senator Hanson-Young interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Hanson-Young, you're not debating with me. Resume your seat. You are out of order. Senator Hanson-Young: Learn the rules! The PRESIDENT: Senator Hanson-Young, please withdraw that. Senator Hanson-Young: I withdraw. The PRESIDENT: Thank you. Senator Ayres. Senator AYRES: I move that the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal from Amalgamation) Bill— Senator McKim interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Ayres, please resume your seat. Senator McKim, you're standing, so I would have come to you. You do not need to shout out 'point of order'. Senator McKim: I think the Senate needs some clarity about what just happened, because from where I sat, President, it seemed that you indicated leave had been denied. We took that, on the face of it, to mean that you had heard that there was a denial of leave. I just want to place on the record that the Australian Greens will deny leave to this request. The PRESIDENT: I will explain it once more, and then I am continuing with the business. Senator Ayres stood and asked for leave. I asked, 'Is leave granted?' I heard silence. I heard nothing, so I put it again and there was a chorus of 'yes'. That is my decision. I am standing by it. Senator Shoebridge interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Shoebridge, if this is on the same point of order, I don't have to hear you. I'm not going to hear you if you're on the same point of order. Please resume your seat. Senator Shoebridge: We have standing orders, not presidential rules! The PRESIDENT: Senator Shoebridge, I'm not entertaining your point of order. Unless you are raising something new, please resume your seat. Senator Ayres? Senator AYRES: I move: That (a) the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal of Amalgamation) Bill 2024 be considered immediately and have precedence over all other business until determined; (b) the questions on all remaining stages of the bill be put following the passage of this motion; and (c) divisions may take place for the purpose of the bill. The PRESIDENT: The question is that the motion as moved by Senator Ayres be agreed to. A division having been called and the bells being rung— The PRESIDENT: I have been informed by the Clerk that we cannot hold divisions between 1.30 and 2.30, so the vote will be deferred until after 2:30. We will now move to two-minute statements.