COMMITTEES

Senator SCARR (Queensland—Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) (16:14): Given that Senator Hanson-Young has made a statement, I seek leave to make a very short statement. The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator SCARR: I should advise those listening to this debate that the issue arose because my good friend Senator Askew was duly appointed by the Senate because the Greens failed to lodge their committee membership letter in time.

They failed to do their homework, and Labor and the Greens have done a secret deal to add a senator from the Greens to this committee. But, notwithstanding the above, in order to progress the matter we're simply seeking that the Greens' motion, which would seek to purge my three colleagues Senator Askew, Senator Duniam and Senator McKenzie, be amended so that only Senator Askew would leave the committee.

That seems a very reasonable amendment from our perspective. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order, senators! Senator Colbeck interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Colbeck!

I called you to order.