Media Statement
(24k)1 December 2008
End of session statement
Claims that the Government has mismanaged the Senate program are mistaken.
The Australian Government is running to schedule to debate bills in the Senate before Parliament rises for the year.
At a meeting of the Leaders and Whips last week, it was agreed that 40 bills would be considered and all parties agreed to sit extra sitting hours to accommodate this schedule.
22 of 40 bills have already been debated this sitting session.
This pattern of finalising legislation in the last two sitting weeks presents a reasonable and typical program for the way legislation is dealt with by the Parliament.
In the final two sittings weeks in September last year, the Senate considered 50 bills. Numbers of bills considered in previous years have been between 30 and 40.
All of the bills to be considered in the Senate this week have been before the Parliament for at least three weeks. Many have been considered by Senate Committees.
Extensive briefings have been given to all Senate parties on request and additional information has been provided when required.
We would expect these consultations and briefings to continue as we work to finalise the legislation program for the year.
The Australian Government is seeking the cooperation of Senators for the passage of legislation through the Senate before Thursday.
Media contact
Sarah Cosson — 0423 823 843.
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