John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I hope I am not having a strange effect on the House. Perhaps the absence of the Leader has caused this mayhem. I thank the leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, for agreeing to take all stages of the two Bills before the House today. It is necessary to dispose of legislation before Christmas and I thank the Senator for facilitating this.

Senators Brian Hayes, McDowell, Glynn, Dooley, Norris, Leyden, Bannon and Wilson raised decentralisation and several of them, including Senator Leyden, called for a debate on the issue. There will be an opportunity to debate this and other issues when the Finance Bill comes before the House.