Senator HARRADINE (9:50 AM) —by leave—I do not wish to reflect on the previous vote. Obviously, under the standing orders, I cannot. But I believe that it is very important to realise what we have just done. There has been proposed to this chamber a notice of motion which, inter alia, seeks to approve of the removal of the power of the Senate to block supply for the ordinary services of government. That would be a momentous decision, and momentous decisions as to whether or not motions are to be formal or informal should not be made by a nod of the head. I am having a bit of difficulty in considering all of these motions that are being called formal when they relate to significant matters—matters that should be open to debate.

In this particular instance, of course, there is going to be a public debate about the matter. A paper has already been distributed by the Prime Minister. A committee, comprising Neil Brown, Jack Richardson and Michael Lavarch, has been established to consider these things. They are going around Australia to consider these particular matters and are having discussions in Perth today. I happen to disagree with the two propositions that have been put forward, but I could be proved wrong after some discussion. This is about the Constitution. Frankly, I do not believe that the matter of whether or not a motion is formal should be determined by a nod of the head.

The PRESIDENT —Senator Harradine, for your information, I understand that the matter of the formality of motions is before the Procedure Committee at the moment.