Order of Business amendment
The Leader announced that the Adoption Bill would be deferred because the Minister was unavailable and proposed taking the remaining business later. Senators queried the change, but the Chair and Leader confirmed the reasons and the House agreed.
At the beginning, I apologise to the House as I must make an amendment to the Order of Business. The Minister, Deputy Zappone, has had to defer the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 today for a personal reason which I will explain later to Members. I move to withdraw No. 1 and take the other items on the Order of Business as outlined. We will suspend at the end of the Order of Business. I apologise to Members-----
Comment on this
Until 2.45 p.m. I will explain to Members later. This has just come to me now. My apologies for that.
Comment on this
On a point of order, is it not possible to take the other items immediately after the Order of Business?
Comment on this
No, on the basis of ministerial commitments.
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I thank the 18 Senators who have-----
Comment on this
There seem to be very valid reasons the Minister, Deputy Zappone, cannot take that item today.