Senator LUDWIG (Queensland—Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Manager of Government Business in the Senate and Minister Assisting the Attorney-General on Queensland Floods Recovery) (18:51): The opposition do not help themselves in this debate. We are clearly dealing with the end of a procedural motion where the clean energy bills are introduced so that they are available for debate when we return to the Senate. With respect to all of the issues the opposition wish to raise on the clean energy bills—both from their perspective and from ours on this side—they will have a great opportunity to use their time effectively during the second reading debate. Senator Ian Macdonald: Mr Acting Deputy President, on a point of order: could you remind the minister that the motion before the chair relates to the President's statement and taking note of it? Senator Ronaldson's motion was to suspend standing orders so that we could debate the President's ruling on why he called Senator Ludwig instead of Senator Ronaldson. That is what it is all about. Would you point out to the minister that talking about carbon tax issues is fairly irrelevant to this? The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT ( Senator Mark Bishop ): Senator Macdonald, resume your seat. There is no point of order. Senator LUDWIG: I think Senator Macdonald has just pointed out the irrelevancy of Senator Ronaldson's contribution. On that basis, I move: That the question be now put. Question put. The Senate divided. [18:58] (The Acting Deputy President—Senator Mark Bishop) Senator Arbib did not vote , to compensate for the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Coonan. Question agreed to. Original question put: That the motion (Senator Ronaldson's) be agreed to. The Senate divided. [19:01] (The Acting Deputy President—Senator Mark Bishop) Senator Arbib did not vote , to compensate for the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Coonan. Question negatived.