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Thursday, 13 October 2011
Page: 7453

Senator ABETZ (Tasmania—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (19:41): I seek leave to move a motion that the Senate defer further consideration of the clean energy bills until after the next election for the House of Representatives.

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT ( Senator Furner ): Senator Brown, are you seeking leave to continue your remarks?

Senator Bob Brown: No, I think we should keep this debate going.

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: I will put the question.

Senator McEwen: I would like to speak on the reports, if I may.

Senator Ian Macdonald: On a point of order, Mr Acting Deputy President—

Senator McEwen: I am on my feet.

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: There is a point of order.

Senator Ian Macdonald: Mr Acting Deputy President, by leave you can do anything. Senator Abetz has sought leave to move a motion. You can either grant the leave or you can disallow the leave, but by leave in this chamber you can do anything at all. He has sought leave and it is a question of whether leave is given or not.

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Is leave granted? Leave is not granted. I call Senator McEwen.

Senator Kroger: On a point of order, Mr Acting Deputy President: if you had been looking around the chamber, you would have seen the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate on his feet before the Government Whip. I think that he should have had the call.

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator McEwen got the call. She stood first, I am afraid.