Business of the House

Mr JOHN AQUILINA (Riverstone—Leader of the House) [10.29 a.m.]: I move:

That standing and sessional orders be suspended to permit the passage through all stages forthwith of the Auditor-General (Supplementary Powers) Bill 2008.

Given the Premier's indications earlier this week, and the notice given regarding the Auditor-General (Supplementary Powers) Bill 2008, it is no secret that the Government has been intent on debating this matter. This House has only a few sitting days remaining this session. To remove any lingering uncertainty in the community about the Government's intentions on this issue and to deal with the issue most efficiently, it would be best to have the bill debated as quickly as possible. It is therefore the intention of the Government, if the House grants suspension of standing and sessional orders, to commence debate on the Auditor-General (Supplementary Powers) Bill 2008 by way of delivery of and debate on the agreement in principle speech and to effect the passage of all stages forthwith. I commend the suspension motion to the House.

Mr ADRIAN PICCOLI (Murrumbidgee) [10.30 a.m.]: The Opposition generally does not support suspension of standing and sessional orders to allow a bill to pass through all its stages on the same day. Notice of this legislation was given on Tuesday this week and the Minister has not made his agreement in principle speech. Only a handful of members in this Chamber have seen the bill in its original form. I assume that most Government members have not seen it, and I believe no crossbench member has seen it. I am aware that a number of crossbench members are concerned about the privatisation of New South Wales electricity assets.

I would like to know what powers this bill would give the Auditor-General, perhaps with a view to expanding them. I know that many members on the Government side are opposed to the plans of the Premier and Treasurer to privatise electricity. They may be interested in seeing and considering properly the content of this legislation and potential amendments to give the Auditor-General the sorts of powers that he needs to protect the best interests of the people of New South Wales. To introduce the bill now, deliver the agreement in principle speech and then ram the bill through all its stages denies members appropriate opportunities, and breaches the standing orders. The proposed procedure is not appropriate and the Coalition will not support this suspension motion.

Question—That the motion be agreed to—put.

The House divided.
Question resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.