Sittings of the House

I move, That the sitting of the House today be extended into tomorrow morning for further consideration in committee of the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill, the second reading of the Tariff (PACER Plus) Amendment Bill, consideration in committee and the third reading of the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 2), and the first readings of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill, the Regulatory Systems (Housing) Amendment Bill, and the Regulatory Systems (Workforce) Amendment Bill.

💬 SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.

💬 Hon Dr Nick Smith: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.

💬 SPEAKER: I don’t think there is a point of order that could be had now, but the member can try me.

The provision for extended sitting hours is a relatively new provision, and I’ve been back and checked with the discussion that occurred at the time of the Standing Orders review, and it’s very clear that the intent of the House was that the provision for extended hours was for non-controversial bills. I’ve also checked—[Interruption] Non-controversial bills, principally for Treaty settlements.

No. The member will resume his seat. I was involved in a number of those discussions, and what was absolutely clear was that where there was an acceptance by the Business Committee that it was for non-controversial bills, there was almost a parallel provision for the Government to move a motion of this sort rather than do it through the Business Committee, and there was no expectation that it would be non-controversial. It is also very clearly not a debatable motion.