Motion (by Senator McMullan) proposed:

  That the Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1992 be recommitted.

  Senator Hill—What is the point of standing order 87, which deals with rescission, if rescission can be—

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —So much of standing orders has been suspended which would allow this to happen; so it is suspended.

  Senator Alston—Mr Deputy President, may I speak to your ruling in respect of standing order 209, which would seem to provide that you require an absolute majority before you can suspend Standing Orders.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —It is a contingent notice of motion which does not require an absolute majority. Order! I am taking no more points of order.

  Senator Crichton-Browne—Mr Deputy President—

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —Order! Take your seat. Order! This matter has been raised before, and if the will of the majority of the Senate is being—

  Senator Bishop—`Thwarted' is the word.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —Yes, thwarted by points of order, those points of order will not be considered. I am putting the motion of Senator McMullan.

  Question resolved in the affirmative.

  Senator Bishop—Mr Deputy President, on a point of order: you said that if the will of the majority of the Senate was being thwarted, then you would take certain action. The will of the majority of this Senate was that that Bill be dead. You are now moving against that.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —Order! Take your seat. There is no point of order.