24th Jun 2014, 1:28 PM – Representatives Business - Consideration of Legislation - Trade Support Loans Bill 2014 and Trade Support Loans (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014

The majority voted in favour of a motion proposed by Liberal Minister Christopher Pyne. The motion would've 'gagged' debate by speeding up the consideration of the bills.

Wording to the motion

That, in relation to proceedings on the Trade Support Loans Bill 2014 and the Trade Support Loans (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014, so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring:

(1) the resumption of debate on the second readings of the bills being called on together;

(2) at the conclusion of the second reading debate, not including a Minister speaking in reply, or 45 minutes after the resumption of the second reading debate, whichever is the earlier, a Minister being called to sum up the second reading debate and then without delay (a) one question being put on any amendments moved to motions for the second readings by opposition Members, (b) any necessary questions being put on amendments moved by any other Member, and (c) one question being put on the second readings of the bills together;

(3) if the second readings of the bills have been agreed to, a message from the Governor-General recommending an appropriation for the Trade Support Loans Bill 2014 being announced;

(4) the consideration in detail stages, if required, on the bills being taken together for a period not exceeding 20 minutes at which time any questions necessary to complete the detail stage being put;

(5) at the conclusion of the detail stage, one question being put on the third readings of the bills together; and

(6) any variation to this arrangement to be made only by a motion moved by a Minister.

Main idea of the bills

The bills create the Trade Support Loans Programme that will give apprentices access to a $20,000 loan, like the loans already available for university students under HECS.

Background to the bills

Prime Minister Tony Abbott promised to create this new loan programme during the 2013 election campaign.