Question Time AU

General Debate

Questions Without Notice

Senate · Thursday 30 October 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

Senator Corinne Mulholland moved to suspend Senate orders to ask a question regarding the government's net zero commitments, citing misinformation affecting Queensland farmers. Opposition senators Anne Ruston, Bridget McKenzie, and James Paterson opposed the motion, arguing that the government was contemptuous of Senate majority decisions and that question allocation is an internal party matter. Government senators Katy Gallagher and Tim Ayres supported the motion, asserting that the opposition had broken conventions and restricted government senators' rights. The motion was defeated by a vote of 25 to 32.

Outcome

The motion to suspend the orders was defeated by a division of 25 to 32.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Corinne Mulholland (QLD) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Mulholland argued that it was urgent to correct misinformation spread by the opposition regarding net zero modelling and its impact on Queensland canefarmers and industry. Mulholland stated that farmers in Mackay were already leading the transition by converting cane biomass into ethanol and required clarity on government plans. Mulholland contended that the opposition was attempting to silence elected representatives and prevent urgent questions from being asked in the Senate.

Government response

Tim Ayres (Minister for Industry and Innovation; Minister for Science) ALP NSW

Ayres supported the motion, arguing that the issue was urgent because it concerned the rights of backbench senators and the conventions of a minority chamber. Ayres stated that the previous day's resolution disenfranchised 19 government senators by design and exposed a lack of political judgement by the opposition. Ayres emphasised that the Senate relies on cooperation and conventions rather than majority imposition, and moved that the question be put.

Opposition response

Anne Ruston (Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care; Shadow Minister for Sport; Shadow Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme; Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Liberal SA

Ruston opposed the suspension, arguing that the government was showing contempt for the Senate by refusing to comply with majority orders regarding document production. Ruston stated that the urgency was unnecessary because the chamber's business is determined by the majority, not the government. Ruston questioned why the senators did not use their allocated questions during standard question time if the issues were truly urgent.

Votes during this debate

Division 9: Questions Without Notice Not passed 25–32