STATEMENTS

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (15:00): by leave—I just wanted to address at this time, ahead of taking note of answers, the matter that has been raised by Senator Lambie and the crossbench regarding allocation of time in taking note of answers. When this matter was first proposed to be referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Procedure, I did write to Senator Lambie and copied in other senators setting out two proposals the government would support.

I understand that Senator Sheldon has also engaged with his counterparts in order to try and obtain agreement to one of these proposals. I understand that, at this stage, the opposition have not been able to agree to any outcome. I would just make this point: the government supports agreement in the chamber to facilitate greater opportunity for crossbench contributions during the take note debate.

We do believe the chamber works best when conventions are agreed and observed. We do urge the opposition to recognise the request of the crossbench to be reasonably represented in the debate to take note of answers and to avoid unnecessary further inquiry. We won't be objecting, and we will be supporting Senator Lambie's referral to the procedure committee, but it would be preferable for senators to work constructively to reach agreement on the allocation of time.