Business of the House

Mr JOHN AQUILINA (Riverstone—Leader of the House) [4.11 p.m.]: I move:

That standing and sessional orders be suspended to permit the introduction at this sitting of the Thoroughbred Racing Amendment Bill before consideration of General Business Orders of the Day (for Bills) and its passage through all remaining stages on Friday 20 June 2008.

I move this motion with the agreement of the Opposition. It is everyone's desire to progress the bill as quickly as possible. It is the Government's intention as soon as this motion is dispatched to bring on Government business and have the Minister deliver the agreement in principle speech. Notice of the bill was given several months ago so having the agreement in principle speech delivered now complies with the sessional orders of the House, but for the bill to be passed through all stages tomorrow it is necessary to suspend standing and sessional orders. So I have moved this motion to ensure that we can continue to gallop through the legislation at hand at record speed.

Mr BRAD HAZZARD (Wakehurst) [4.12 p.m.]: As the Leader of the House indicated, the Opposition will not oppose the motion, but the Government could have been a bit more organised. We will agree to the suspension as long as we have a clear understanding that there will be time for private members' statements tomorrow.

Mr John Aquilina: Absolutely.

Mr BRAD HAZZARD: On that understanding, we do not object.

Mr JOHN AQUILINA (Riverstone—Leader of the House) [4.13 p.m.], in reply: Not only will private member's statements proceed tomorrow; if additional members wish to speak the Government will accommodate them.

Question—That standing and sessional orders be suspended—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.