DOCUMENTS

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (16:19): I seek leave to move an amendment to notice of motion No. 320, which has been circulated. The effect of the amendment would be to omit paragraph (b)(i) and to allow the motion to be debated for no longer than 20 minutes.

Senator Scarr: On a point of order, I want to seek some clarification as to the intent of omitting those words, which would appear to omit the time limit for debate. We're trying to understand what the actual intent is. The PRESIDENT: With the indulgence of the Senate, I will ask Minister Gallagher to perhaps give a further explanation.

Senator GALLAGHER: Yes, that is the effect of that amendment. We think there should be an open ended time for debate on that. Leave granted.

Senator GALLAGHER: I move: Paragraph (b)(ii), omit "may be debated for no longer than 20 minutes and shall". The PRESIDENT: The question is that the amendment as moved by Minister Gallagher to general business notice of motion No. 320, standing in the name of Senator Payman, be agreed to.