Questions without Notice

Opened the debate

Smith argued that the motion was necessary to allow non-executive government senators to ask urgent questions about significant policy changes affecting women's health. Smith cited two recent Senate inquiries into menopause and women's health, noting that hundreds of women had shared experiences of being dismissed by the current system. Smith contended that changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Medicare were occurring on 1 November and required immediate parliamentary attention. Smith asserted that denying this question violated longstanding conventions regarding the rights of non-executive members to represent their constituents.

Opposition response

Ruston moved that the question be put, thereby concluding the debate on Smith's motion to suspend standing orders. Ruston did not provide a substantive policy response in the transcript provided, focusing instead on procedural closure.