24th Jun 2021, 5:39 PM – Senate Business - Senate Temporary Orders - Restrict motion time

The majority voted in favour of the motion introduced by South Australian Senator Simon Birmingham (Liberal), which means it passed.

Senator Birmingham explained that:

In my time in this chamber, the consideration of formal motions has, over a period of time, become one of the most divisive, dysfunctional and disorderly elements of the Senate consideration each day. [...]

The proposal that is put forward is to limit such motions to their original intent in so far as they deal with procedural questions before the Senate, including the establishment of committees, including holding the government to account through matters such as the order for production of documents. [...]

The motion seeks to create a new half-hour opportunity, each and every day, for senators to make two-minute statements. This will allow any senator to make a statement on whatever matter, as controversial as they wish, but without expecting every other senator in this place—with no notice and no debate—to have to then form an opinion on that senator's controversial statement. Each senator will be able to have that opportunity.

Read more about the wording of the motion and Senator Birmingham's full explanation for more information.