BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
Hours of Sitting and Order of Business
Mr MOORE (Gordon), Minister for the Environment [5.28], by leave: I move:
That notwithstanding anything contained in the sessional or standing orders to the contrary, the House shall meet at 9.30 a.m. on Thursday 17 October 1991 with the following routine of business -
9.30 a.m. Government Business
10.30 a.m. Petitions
Notices of Motions
Presentation of Papers
Questions
Placing or Disposal of Business
Formal Business
Motions under Standing Order 49
Motions Under Standing Order 161 (Objections to the Rulings of Mr Speaker)
Motions under Standing Orders 108 and 111 (Special Adjournments, Privileges, Business of the House and Votes of Thanks)
Motions under Standing Order 113A (Disallowance of Regulations)
Consideration of Committee Reports
Government Business (With precedence being given to any Business interrupted at 10.30 a.m.)
2.15 p.m General Business Notice of Motions or Orders of the Day Pursuant to Standing Order 122A.
The intention of the motion is to commence the introduction on a Thursday by Thursday basis - and this motion purely applies to tomorrow - of a 9.30 a.m. start to enable the introduction of bills. Nothing controversial will be brought on before 10.30 a.m. and
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one long bell will be rung at approximately 10.28 a.m. to remind honourable members that it is time to attend the Chamber for question time. The motion does not require that to be incorporated. I have consulted the Clerks on the matter and it is sufficient for me to indicate the desirability of that in this speech. I undertake that that will happen. One long bell will be rung at 10.28 a.m. to remind honourable members that it is time to attend the Chamber for question time. This is part of the restructuring of sittings on Thursdays foreshadowed by the Government's Standing Orders Committee. It is the only rational way to obtain additional time for the Parliament without sitting more bizarre hours in the evening than we do already.
Mr WHELAN (Ashfield) [5.29]: The Opposition concurs with the proposal, on the understanding that it is limited strictly to 17th October.
Motion agreed to.