Senator MOORE (Queensland) (19:53): I seek leave to make a short statement.
Leave granted.
Senator MOORE: Mr President, earlier this afternoon, Senator Wong and other non-government party leaders and independent senators signed a letter to you under standing order 55(2), requesting that the Senate meet on Wednesday, 20 April 2016 in order to complete certain items of business that were being frustrated by the government. I am pleased to inform the Senate that, as those items of business have now been completed, Senator Wong will withdraw her letter and the Senate will not be required to sit tomorrow. The opposition wishes to acknowledge and thank other non-government independent senators for their defence of the rights and powers of senators and of the Senate. Through their actions, the Senate will be able to exercise its scrutiny functions and continue to hold the executive to account.
