DOCUMENTS

Senator CHISHOLM (Queensland—Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Assistant Minister for Education, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Deputy Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (16:53): I seek leave to have a new vote held for part (b) of motion 791 and for that to be recommitted. Leave granted. The PRESIDENT: Senator McGrath?

Senator McGrath: Can we find out why the government wishes to recommit? Senator CHISHOLM: My understanding was that the vote was called and it didn't reflect the will of the Senate and a division wasn't called. The PRESIDENT: Senator McKim?

Senator McKim: I couldn't quite hear Senator Chisholm's explanation. It's the usual practice of the Senate that, if you want a vote to be put again, you be very clear. Suggesting that the vote didn't reflect the will of the Senate is not a satisfactory explanation for having a vote recommitted.

The PRESIDENT: Senator McKim, it is a clear indication of Senator Chisholm's position. He has put it in that way. We will put the vote again, and it's really up to senators.

Senator Lambie interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Lambie, Senator Chisholm has indicated that, in his view, it does not reflect the view of the chamber. I'm going to put the question.

Senator Lambie interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Lambie! Firstly, I haven't called you. You've just stood there and yelled out at me.

Senator Lambie: That is not a reason. We want to know why it does not reflect the Senate's wishes. Why is that?

If you are embarrassed, too bad, but why? The PRESIDENT: That is the exact question Senator McKim asked. I've given an explanation.

I'm going to put the question. The question is that paragraph (b) of general business notice of motion No. 791, as amended, standing in the name of Senator Thorpe be agreed to.