Senator BROWN (9:53 AM) —I note in your statement, Madam Chair, the very important component here that if we are going to come back to this matter later in the day, we should be informed. There is not much point in us resuming this matter if we have not had a response to the Clerk's request for information from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel regarding the explanation of the amendments being framed by the House of Representatives and sent back to us. I would strongly submit that the Office of Parliamentary Counsel should respond to the Clerk so that we are able, when we come back to debate this matter, to be informed by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel as to exactly why this form of procedure is taking place, otherwise nothing will be gained. I would request through you, Chair, that contact be made with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and that when we resume we have that response in hand and that we not resume until we do get that response.

The CHAIRMAN —I cannot guarantee that that will eventuate, Senator Brown.

Progress reported.