Mr REITH (Leader of the House)(3.23 p.m.) —by leave—I move:

That:

(1)   the resolution of the House of 17 October 1996 concerning the proposed address by the President of the United States of America on Wednesday, 20 November 1996 be amended by omitting paragraph (3)(b) and substituting the following paragraph:

      "(b)   the only proceedings shall be remarks of welcome to the President of the United States of America by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition followed by an address by the President of the United States of America, after which the Speaker shall forthwith adjourn the House and declare the meeting concluded; and";

(2)   That a message be sent to the Senate acquainting it of this resolution and requesting that it concur and take action accordingly.

I do not propose to speak to the motion other than to make the point that there have been discussions between the government and the opposition. It was felt that it was appropriate that, upon the entry of President Clinton to this chamber to address the chamber, it would be an appropriate opportunity for the Prime Minister (Mr Howard) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Beazley) to make a few remarks of introduction and welcome. The general format for the afternoon of 20 November is that there will be a lunch approximately between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition will welcome the President in this chamber at approximately 4 p.m. Consequent upon that introduction and welcoming remarks, there will be an address by the President to the joint meeting.

Question resolved in the affirmative.