Senator XENOPHON (9:53 AM) —I think we know it is going to a momentous day in the Senate when Annabel Crabb graces us with her presence in the press gallery. We know something big is happening.

Government senators—Crawler!

Senator XENOPHON —I indicate that I will be supporting—

Senator Cameron —Crawler!

The PRESIDENT —Senator Xenophon, just address your remarks to the chair; ignore other distractions.

Senator XENOPHON —As always, Mr President. I indicate that I will be supporting the suspension of standing orders. This is an important—

Senator Ian Macdonald —Shame!

Senator XENOPHON —Senator Macdonald, whom I have a lot of time for, says ‘shame’. But the suspension allows for debate to continue through tonight and they allow for debate tomorrow for the committee stages. I think inadequate consideration—

Senator Abetz —No, we don’t know what the motion is.

Senator Cormann —We haven’t seen it.

Senator Cash —Have you seen it?

Senator Abetz —It’s giving a blank cheque.

Senator XENOPHON —Somehow—

Opposition senators interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —Senator Xenophon, just continue. Ignore the interjections and address your remarks to the chair. Those on my left, cease interjecting.

Senator XENOPHON —I think it is important that we have adequate time to debate this very important piece of legislation. We know that there are time constraints. We know that there is an issue here. The structural separation of Telstra, I believe, is in the interests of consumers. It is not sustainable to have such a vertically integrated telecommunications network, as we have in this country. The OECD acknowledges how constrained we are because of the vertical integration of Telstra.

Senator Abetz —What does the OECD say about the NBN?

Senator XENOPHON —Mr President, I am always courteous to Senator Abetz. I listen to him in silence. Perhaps he could give me the same courtesy.

I think that there are some compelling reasons why we need to deal with this legislation now. We saw what happened at the Telstra board meeting last Friday. If the deal between Telstra, the government and the NBN falls over then we will lose a golden opportunity to structurally separate Telstra and, with it, benefits to consumers in the longer term. There will be another opportunity to deal with the NBN legislation, but I think it is important that we have adequate scrutiny of this piece of legislation. What I said to the media this morning and what I said last night was that if we need to sit on Friday to deal with this then so be it. But I support the suspension of standing orders because—

Senator Ian Macdonald —And Saturday and Sunday?

Senator XENOPHON —Well, the thought of spending the weekend with Senator Macdonald is a very alluring one! But I am not sure that that will be necessary. I support the suspension of standing orders.

Senator Abetz —Mr President, on a point of order: I wonder how the Senate can be debating a motion to suspend standing orders to consider a motion that has not been drafted and has not been circulated so we do not know what its contents are.

The PRESIDENT —That is not a point of order. There is no point of order there, Senator Abetz.

Senator Ludwig —On the point of order, Mr President: it is not unusual to read out the motion. When we come to that, I will read it out.