Chaos before parliament rises for the year

Federal parliament descended into chaos on the final sitting day in a tumultuous year in Australian politics.

CHAOS IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT'S FINAL SITTING DAY FOR 2018:

0630 - Labor is given 173 government amendments to encryption laws, which allow authorities to access terrorists' encrypted messages

0930 - House and Senate sit

0932 - Debate resumes on encryption laws

1020 - Prime Minister Scott Morrison attacks Labor for delaying the laws

1202 - Main debate session finishes on encryption bills

1203 - Government moves 173 separate amendments as a package in the House of Representatives

1206 - Labor says the amendments aren't enough to alleviate their concerns over the bill, but allow it to pass the House of Representatives so changes can be made in the Senate

1224 - Encryption bill passes House

1247 - Debate on non-controversial immigration bill resumes in Senate

1317 - 'Big stick' energy legislation debate stalls in the House. Independent MP Bob Katter introduces amendments to ensure state-owned assets can't be sold off and Labor forces the government to look at the legislation clause by clause

1350 - Voting starts on amendments to the immigration bill in the Senate after the crossbench and Greens confirm they have a majority to add faster medical transfers for refugees

1400 - Labor MPs keep unusually quiet during question time to prevent being kicked out and losing precious votes

1432 - Australian Conservatives senator Cory Bernardi fails twice to suspend standing orders, ramping up time-wasting tactics to stop the bill

1501 - The opposition halts question time to test the government's numbers, moving a motion to condemn its energy policy

1520 - Pauline Hanson tries to suspend standing orders, drawing out the process further

1537 - Labor's bid fails with independents Rebekha Sharkie, Kerryn Phelps, Julia Banks and Cathy McGowan abstaining from the vote

1630 - Leader of the House Christopher Pyne doesn't prevent the chamber from wrapping up for the year - a motion he placed on the day's agenda - resulting in the adjournment debate

1631 - After the Senate divides 23 times, it becomes clear time has run out for the refugee bill to pass both houses of parliament before the end of the year

1700 - The House ends for the year, after Labor leader Bill Shorten, deputy Tanya Plibersek and Tony Burke condemn the coalition for turning its back on governing

1840 - Labor leader Bill Shorten announces a deal with the coalition to pass encryption laws without amendment before the Senate adjourns

1924 - Encryption bill passes, with Senators voting 44-12 in favour


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3 min read
Published 6 December 2018 7:42pm
Source: AAP


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