Senator ALLISON (3:52 PM) —by leave—The Democrats will support the first and the third of these procedural motions. It was assumed by the Democrats and myself, as a member of the Procedure Committee, that these proposals would lie on the table, as it were, until members of the committee had given senators an `adequate opportunity to consider them' and to consult their colleagues—I am quoting directly here from the report of the Procedure Committee. On the understanding that this would not be dealt with until June, we did have a preliminary discussion but there has not been time for us to do as was suggested by the report—that is, provide adequate opportunity for consultation and discussion. I realise that these three motions will go through, but the second motion, which relates to the cut-off motion, is a very significant change to standing orders. Again, I point out that—

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —Senator Allison, can we dispose of No. 1 first?

Senator ALLISON —I am trying to save myself having to make three speeches and I am trying to encompass my remarks in one. The central point, of course, is that time has not been afforded for proper consultation and consideration.

Question agreed to.