18th Jun 2008, 11:52 AM – Senate Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Political Donations and Other Measures) Bill 2008 - Referral to Committees

Alan Ferguson

We move to proposed reference No. 8-that the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Political Donations and Other Measures) Bill 2008 be referred to a committee.

Steve Fielding

Mr President, a point of clarification: what is the date on that referral coming back?

Alan Ferguson

I will read the whole question, which is: that the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Political Donations and Other Measures) Bill 2008 be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters for inquiry and report by 30 June 2009 in conjunction with the committee’s inquiry into the 2007 federal election.

Steve Fielding

Mr President, I would like to move an amendment to that motion.

Alan Ferguson

Senator Fielding, the debate is closed. You did not foreshadow an amendment, so you will have to seek leave to move an amendment.

Steve Fielding

I seek leave to move an amendment.

Alan Ferguson

Is leave granted?

Bob Brown

Mr President, it is quite a serious matter for the Senate at this stage to be asked to consider an amendment. I think it would be prudent for the Senate to hear what the amendment is before we give leave to consider the matter.

Alan Ferguson

I can only ask you to give leave or otherwise. Is leave granted?

Bob Brown

I would like to hear what the amendment is before we vote on that matter.

Steve Fielding

The amendment is for the reporting date to be before November 2008.

Alan Ferguson

Senators have heard the amendment. Is leave granted for Senator Fielding to move the amendment?

Leave granted.

Steve Fielding

I move:

Omit “by 30 June 2009”, substitute “before November 2008”.

Bob Brown

Mr President, the Senate is being asked to agree to an unspecified date before November. If we are going to proceed with the matter, I suggest that the senator specify the reporting date that he wants the Senate to consider.

Alan Ferguson

If I heard the amendment correctly, Senator Fielding moved that it should be before November. If it is before November, the date would have to be 31 October or before.

Bob Brown

I just want to comment on the process here. We can make a determination on this, but it is inappropriate that the Senate be asked to deal with an amendment like this outside the debate.

Alan Ferguson

Senator Brown, because Senator Fielding has moved the amendment and you have already spoken, you can only take a point of order or seek leave to make further comments.

Bob Brown

I haven’t spoken on the amendment.

Alan Ferguson

Yes, you did. You spoke a few minutes ago. You are allowed to speak only once. After he moved the amendment you stood on your feet and spoke. The question is that the amendment moved by Senator Fielding be agreed to.

Honourable Senators

Honourable senators interjecting-

Andrew Murray

Mr President, although I supported the motion for an earlier date, I did not support the division. I do not know anyone else who supported the division.

Alan Ferguson

I was sure I heard two noes. I will put the question again. The question is that the amendment moved by Senator Fielding be agreed to. Those of that opinion say aye and those against say no. I did hear two ayes. Is a division required?

Andrew Murray

No.

Honourable Senators

Honourable senators interjecting-

Alan Ferguson

Order! Let’s get this clarified properly. I am going to put the question one more time. Is the amendment moved by Senator Fielding agreed to? Those of that opinion say aye and those against say no. I think the noes have it. Is a division required?

Steve Fielding

Yes.

Alan Ferguson

I am sorry, Senator Fielding; only one voice said yes.

Question negatived.

Bob Brown

Mr President, I ask that the Greens support for the amendment be recorded.

Alan Ferguson

The question now is that proposed reference No. 8, relating to the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Political Donations and Other Measures) Bill 2008, be agreed to.