Joe O'Toole (Independent)

On an issue of procedure, we debated the Finance Bill yesterday afternoon during which the Minister for Finance was open to taking questions and dealing with issues as they arose. Senators Higgins, McDowell and I were of the view that it was a very useful way of doing business. I ask the Leader to consider introducing a type of Question Time in this House. Yesterday's debate provided a good example of a Minister who may not have agreed with Members on either side of the House being able to deal with issues in a Question Time format. Perhaps the Leader will look at the issue.