Senator BOB BROWN (Leader of the Australian Greens) (10:11 AM) —by leave—In the interests of gaining information, we are not going to stand in the way of this motion. However, I note that, if given effect, it would call on the government to make a reference to the Productivity Commission requiring modelling of alternative emissions on a big range of things. We do not have before us information which would indicate that the Productivity Commission can do that modelling, let alone whether it should do it. We had that reservation about the matter. It would have been helpful to have the Senate informed as to the wherewithal of the Productivity Commission (a) to do this modelling and whether it is the best place to do it and (b) whether it could do it within the time that is being allocated.

Senator O’Brien —Could we have an indication of which way senators are voting? I am reluctant to call an unnecessary division.

Senator Fielding —Family First opposes that motion, so that puts it up to the coalition as to what they want to do with it.

Question agreed to.