Senator O'BRIEN (9:34 AM) —There are two matters that I want to raise in relation to this motion. The first is that we would oppose No. 10 being on the list for today. That was something that was unclear from the whips meeting last night. I apologise, as I did not have the opportunity to talk to you this morning. I am not able to say that we could treat that item of legislation as non-controversial. Secondly, I do not have item No. 13 in front of me, and I would seek some assistance as to what it is.

Senator Patterson —I am advised that No. 13 is the Social Security (Family Allowance and Related Matters) Legislation Amendment Bill 1999 . I have been advised that the minister and the opposition spokesperson have indicated that that is okay. I will actually be taking those bills through. When we come to lunchtime, we will not bring those bills on if there is a concern with respect to government business order of the day No. 10 expressed by the appropriate person on the opposition side.

Senator O'BRIEN —I am happy for the matter to proceed on that basis; that is, that if the opposition has a concern about either or both of those pieces of legislation, they will not be dealt with. I also understand that there is a possibility that the government might seek to introduce another piece of legislation which is urgent, as I understand it. That may or may not be the case. I can indicate that the opposition would consider that matter positively. I think the government knows which piece of legislation we are talking about.

The PRESIDENT —Noting the undertakings given by the government with respect to items Nos 10 and 13, the question is that the motion moved by Senator Patterson be agreed to.

Question resolved in the affirmative.