7th Sep 2017, 12:19 PM – Senate Business - Consideration of Legislation - Three bills

The majority voted in favour of a motion introduced by Queensland Senator James McGrath (LNP), which means it was successful.

Motion text

That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the following bills, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings:

• Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (A More Sustainable, Responsive and Transparent Higher Education System) Bill 2017

• Social Services Legislation Amendment (Payment Integrity) Bill 2017

• Social Services Legislation Amendment (Welfare Reform) Bill 2017

Relevant text of Standing Order 111

(5) Where a bill:

(a) is first introduced in the Senate by a minister in a period of sittings; or

(b) is received from the House of Representatives and was introduced in that House in the same period of sittings; or

(c) is received from the House of Representatives after the expiration of two-thirds of the total number of days of sitting of the Senate scheduled for that period of sittings,

and a motion is moved for the second reading of the bill, debate on that motion shall be adjourned at the conclusion of the speech of the senator moving the motion and resumption of the debate shall be made an order of the day for the first day of sitting in the next period of sittings without any question being put.

(6) Paragraph (5) does not apply to a bill introduced in the Senate or received from the House of Representatives within the first two-thirds of the total number of days of sitting of the Senate scheduled for the first period of sittings after a general election of the House of Representatives, but consideration of such a bill shall not be resumed after the second reading is moved in the Senate unless 14 days have elapsed after the first introduction of the bill in either House.

(7) Paragraph (5) does not apply to a bill received by the Senate again in the circumstances described in the first paragraph of section 57 of the Constitution.

(8) In paragraphs (5) and (6) "period of sittings" means a period during which the Senate adjourns for not more than 20 days.