Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025

Senator CANAVAN (Queensland—Nationals Whip in the Senate) (12:17): I seek leave to move an amendment that seeks to exclude the event where a mother's health is at risk. The CHAIR: Senator Hanson-Young, are you seeking the call? Senator Hanson-Young: I'd like it if you could get the clerks' advice on the restrictions around moving amendments within the two-hour period when a guillotine has been put in place.

The CHAIR: I will do so. I'm advised that, as long as leave is granted, it is acceptable. Senator Hanson-Young?

Senator Hanson-Young: Senator Canavan is seeking leave because the amendment period is closed. Could you explain clearly, Senator Canavan, what the amendment is to so that we can work out whether we're going to give you leave? Senator CANAVAN: That's a reasonable request.

I would seek leave to move an amendment to add to the words at the end of proposed subsection (d): ', unless the termination is to protect the health of the mother'. Senator Hanson-Young: Just to be clear, is that to the bill itself, not to somebody else's amendment? So Senator Canavan is cleaning up Senator Antic's mess?

Is that what's going on here? The CHAIR: That is a debating point. Is leave granted?

This is the last time I'm going to ask. Leave not granted. Senator McKenzie: Can I just seek clarification?

If the mover of an amendment accepts another senator's amendment, does that then become the amendment? The CHAIR: Senator Canavan would still need leave of the Senate. Leave has been denied.

So I will put the amendment, unless there are further contributions. The question is that amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 3477 be agreed to. A division hav ing been called and the bells being rung— The CHAIR: I am seeking further advice from the Clerk concerning Senator Canavan's amendment.

It may be that this division will need to be cancelled. I will seek that advice now. I am going to cancel this division.

There was conflicting advice to the chair. The advice is now that Senator Canavan did not need leave to move his amendment. So I am going to give Senator Canavan the chance to move his amendment.

We will then vote on it. Senator CANAVAN: I move an amendment to amendment (1) on sheet 3477: After "pregnancy" (first occurring), insert ", unless the termination is to protect the health of the mother". The CHAIR: The question is that the amendment moved by Senator Canavan to Senator Antic's amendment be agreed to.