Statistical summaries—2008

  • 1/2008 - 12 to 14 February

    Business conducted in the Senate - 12 to 14 February

    Government business 42%; General business 32%; Questions 10%; MPI/Urgency 0%; Business of the Senate 6%; Other 10%
    General
      12 to 14 February
    Number of sitting days 3
    Average length of a sitting day 7 hrs 38 mins
    Longest sitting day 10 hrs 20 mins
    (13 February)
    Shortest sitting day 2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February)
    Hours of sitting 22 hrs 54 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      12 to 14 February
    Government business 8 hrs 52 mins
    General business 6 hrs 50 mins
    Questions without notice 2 hrs 08 mins
    Urgency/MPI 0 hrs 0 mins
    Business of the Senate 1 hr 11 mins
    Other 2 hrs 01 min
    Adjournment debate 1 hr 52 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      12 to 14 February
    Questions placed on notice 284*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions) 38
    Question time held on: 2 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 19
    Petitions presented 9
    Signatories to petitions 1 155
    Divisions 7

    * Questions placed on notice from 12 to 14 February 2008 (inclusive)

    Legislation
      12 to 14 February
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 2
    private senators' bills 7
    Received from the House of Representatives 3
    Passed in the Senate 3
    Bills negatived 0
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 3
    Bills referred to committees 2
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 28
  • 2/2008 - 11 to 13 March

    Business conducted in the Senate - 11 to 13 March

    Government business 51%; General business 33%; Questions 13%; MPI/Urgency 0%; Business of the Senate 0%; Other 3%

    Business conducted in the Senate - 2008 to date

    Government business 47%; General business 33%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 0%; Business of the Senate 3%; Other 6%
    General
      11 to 13 March 2008 to date
    Number of sitting days 3 6
    Average length of a sitting day 8 hrs 41 mins 8 hrs 10 mins
    Longest sitting day 10 hrs 02 mins
    (12 March 2008))
    10 hrs 20 mins
    (13 February 2008)
    Shortest sitting day 6 hrs 50 mins
    (11 March 2008)
    2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February 2008)
    Hours of sitting 26 hrs 04 mins 48 hrs 58 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      11 to 13 March 2008 to date
    Government business 12 hrs 19 mins 21 hrs 11 mins
    General business 7 hrs 59 mins 14 hrs 49 mins
    Questions without notice 3 hrs 13 mins 5 hrs 21 mins
    Urgency/MPI 0 hrs 0 mins 0 hrs 0 mins
    Business of the Senate 0 hrs 0 mins 1 hr 11 mins
    Other 0 hrs 48 mins 2 hrs 49 mins
    Adjournment debate 1 hr 45 mins 3 hrs 37 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      11 to 13 March 2008 to date
    Questions placed on notice 87^ 371*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions) 62 100
    Question time held on: 3 sitting days 5 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 20.7 20
    Petitions presented 4 13
    Signatories to petitions 130 1 285
    Divisions 1 8

    ^ Questions placed on notice from 15 February to 13 March 2008 inclusive
    * Questions placed on notice from 12 February to 13 March 2008 inclusive

    Legislation
      11 to 13 March 2008 to date
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 2 4
    private senators' bills 2 9
    Received from the House of Representatives 15 18
    Passed in the Senate 12 15
    Bills discharged from Notice Paper 0 0
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 0 3
    Bills referred to committees 6 8
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 8 36
  • 3/2008 - 17 to 20 March

    Business conducted in the Senate - 17 to 20 March

    Government business 57%; General business 24%; Questions 13%; MPI/Urgency 3%; Business of the Senate 0%; Other 3%

    Business conducted in the Senate - 2008 to date

    Government business 51%; General business 29%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 1%; Business of the Senate 2%; Other 5%
    General
      17 to 20 March 2008 to date
    Number of sitting days 4 10
    Average length of a sitting day 8 hrs 46 mins 8 hrs 24 mins
    Longest sitting day 10 hrs 25 mins
    (19 March 2008)
    10 hrs 25 mins
    (19 March 2008)
    Shortest sitting day 6 hrs 23 mins
    (20 March 2008)
    2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February 2008)
    Hours of sitting 35 hrs 04 mins 84 hrs 02 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      17 to 20 March 2008 to date
    Government business 18 hrs 34 mins 39 hrs 45 mins
    General business 7 hrs 46 mins 22 hrs 35 mins
    Questions without notice 4 hrs 10 mins 9 hrs 31 mins
    Urgency/MPI 1 hr 01 min 1 hr 01 min
    Business of the Senate 04 mins 1 hr 15 mins
    Other 0 hrs 59 mins 3 hrs 48 mins
    Adjournment debate 2 hrs 30 mins 6 hrs 07 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      17 to 20 March 2008 to date
    Questions placed on notice 12^ 383*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions) 85 185
    Question time held on: 4 sitting days 9 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 21.3 20.6
    Petitions presented 1 14
    Signatories to petitions 534 1 819
    Divisions 11 19

    ^ Questions placed on notice from 14 to 20 March 2008 inclusive
    * Questions placed on notice from 12 February to 20 March 2008 inclusive

    Legislation
      17 to 20 March 2008 to date
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 2 6
    private senators' bills 2 11
    Received from the House of Representatives 7 25
    Passed in the Senate 6 21
    Bills negatived at second reading 3 3
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 5 8
    Bills referred to committees 6 14
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 1 37
  • 4/2008 - 13 to 15 May

    Business conducted in the Senate - 13 to 15 May

    Government business 32%; General business 32%; Questions 13%; MPI/Urgency 0%; Business of the Senate 9%; Other 14%

    Business conducted in the Senate - 2008 to date

    Government business 46%; General business 30%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 1%; Business of the Senate 3%; Other 7%
    General
      13 to 15 May 2008 to date
    Number of sitting days 3 13
    Average length of a sitting day 8 hrs 43 mins 8 hrs 29 mins
    Longest sitting day 10 hrs 00 mins
    (14 May 2008)
    10 hrs 25 mins
    (19 March 2008)
    Shortest sitting day 6 hrs 40 mins
    (13 May 2008)
    2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February 2008)
    Hours of sitting 26 hrs 09 mins 110 hrs 11 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      13 to 15 May 2008 to date
    Government business 7 hrs 54 mins 47 hrs 39 mins
    General business 7 hrs 54 mins 30 hrs 29 mins
    Questions without notice 3 hrs 07 mins 12 hrs 38 mins
    Urgency/MPI 0 hrs 0 mins 1 hr 01 min
    Business of the Senate 2 hrs 18 mins 3 hrs 33 mins
    Other 3 hrs 30 mins 7 hrs 18 mins
    Adjournment debate 1 hr 26 mins 7 hrs 33 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      13 to 15 May 2008 to date
    Questions placed on notice 54^ 437*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions) 54 239
    Question time held on: 3 sitting days 12 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 18 19.9
    Petitions presented 6 20
    Signatories to petitions 42 541 44 360
    Divisions 7 26

    ^ Questions placed on notice from 15 March to 15 May 2008 inclusive
    * Questions placed on notice from 12 February to 15 May 2008 inclusive

    Legislation
      13 to 15 May 2008 to date
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 1 7
    private senators' bills 3 14
    Received from the House of Representatives 3 31
    Passed in the Senate 7 28
    Bills negatived at second reading 0 3
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 1 9
    Bills referred to committees 2 16
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 2 39
  • 5/2008 - 16 to 19 June

    Business conducted in the Senate - 16 to 19 June

    Government business 37%; General business 18%; Questions 10%; MPI/Urgency 0%; Business of the Senate 12%; Other 23%

    Business conducted in the Senate - 2008 to date

    Government business 44%; General business 26%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 1%; Business of the Senate 6%; Other 12%
    General
      16 to 19 June 2008 to date
    Number of sitting days 4 17
    Average length of a sitting day 10 hrs 11 mins 8 hrs 53 mins
    Longest sitting day 11 hrs 18 mins
    (19 June 2008)
    11 hrs 18 mins
    (19 June 2008)
    Shortest sitting day 8 hrs 15 mins
    (16 June 2008)
    2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February 2008)
    Hours of sitting 40 hrs 46 mins 150 hrs 57 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      16 to 19 June 2008 to date
    Government business 15 hrs 11 mins 62 hrs 50 mins
    General business 7 hrs 09 mins 37 hrs 38 mins
    Questions without notice 4 hrs 12 mins 16 hrs 50 mins
    Urgency/MPI 0 hrs 0 mins 1 hr 01 min
    Business of the Senate 4 hrs 48 mins 8 hrs 21 mins
    Other 9 hrs 24 mins 16 hrs 42 mins
    Adjournment debate 02 mins 7 hrs 35 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      16 to 19 June 2008 to date
    Questions placed on notice 66^ 503*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions) 78 317
    Question time held on: 4 sitting days 16 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 19.5 19.8
    Petitions presented 7 27
    Signatories to petitions 16 916 61 276
    Divisions 14 40

    ^ Questions placed on notice from 16 May to 19 June 2008 inclusive
    * Questions placed on notice from 12 February to 19 June 2008 inclusive

    Legislation
      16 to 19 June 2008 to date
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 0 7
    private senators' bills 3 17
    Received from the House of Representatives 59 90
    Passed in the Senate 31 59
    Bills negatived or discharged from the Notice Paper 1 4
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 0 9
    Bills referred to committees 19 36
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 1 40
  • 6/2008 - 23 to 26 June

    Business conducted in the Senate - 23 to 26 June

    Government business 52%; General business 23%; Questions 11%; MPI/Urgency 0%; Business of the Senate 0%; Other 13%

    Business conducted in the Senate - 2008 to date

    Government business 46%; General business 26%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 1%; Business of the Senate 5%; Other 12%
    General
      23 to 26 June 2008 to date
    Number of sitting days 4 21
    Average length of a sitting day 9 hrs 49 mins 9 hrs 03 mins
    Longest sitting day 10 hrs 23 mins
    (25 June 2008)
    11 hrs 18 mins
    (19 June 2008)
    Shortest sitting day 8 hrs 40 mins
    (23 June 2008)
    2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February 2008)
    Hours of sitting 39 hrs 15 mins 190 hrs 12 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      23 to 26 June 2008 to date
    Government business 19 hrs 42 mins 82 hrs 32 mins
    General business 8 hrs 49 mins 46 hrs 27 mins
    Questions without notice 4 hrs 17 mins 21 hrs 07 mins
    Urgency/MPI 0 hrs 0 mins 1 hr 01 min
    Business of the Senate 0 hrs 03 mins 8 hrs 24 mins
    Other 5 hrs 03 mins 21 hrs 45 mins
    Adjournment debate 1 hr 21 mins 8 hrs 56 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      23 to 26 June 2008 to date
    Questions placed on notice 7^ 510*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions) 85 402
    Question time held on: 4 sitting days 20 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 21.3 20.1
    Petitions presented 5 32
    Signatories to petitions 4 317 65 593
    Divisions 9 49

    ^ Questions placed on notice from 20 to 26 June 2008 inclusive
    * Questions placed on notice from 12 February to 26 June 2008 inclusive

    Legislation
      23 to 26 June 2008 to date
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 1 8
    private senators' bills 2 19
    Received from the House of Representatives 7 97
    Passed in the Senate 25 84
    Bills negatived or discharged from the Notice Paper 1 5
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 2 11
    Bills referred to committees 10 46
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 0 40
  • 7/2008 - 26 to 28 August

    Business conducted in the Senate - 26 to 28 August

    Government business 30%; General business 37%; Questions 14%; MPI/Urgency 0%; Business of the Senate 7%; Other 13%

    Business conducted in the Senate - 2008 to date

    Government business 44%; General business 27%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 0%; Business of the Senate 5%; Other 12%
    General
      26 to 28 August 2008 to date
    Number of sitting days 3 24
    Average length of a sitting day 8 hrs 19 mins 8 hrs 58 mins
    Longest sitting day 10 hrs 06 mins
    (27 August 2008)
    11 hrs 18 mins
    (19 June 2008)
    Shortest sitting day 4 hrs 57 mins
    (26 August 2008)
    2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February 2008)
    Hours of sitting 24 hrs 56 mins 215 hrs 08 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      26 to 28 August 2008 to date
    Government business 7 hrs 12 mins 89 hrs 44 mins
    General business 8 hrs 50 mins 55 hrs 17 mins
    Questions without notice 3 hrs 16 mins 24 hrs 23 mins
    Urgency/MPI 0 hrs 0 mins 1 hr 01 min
    Business of the Senate 1 hr 42 mins 10 hrs 06 mins
    Other 3 hrs 07 mins 24 hrs 52 mins
    Adjournment debate 49 mins 9 hrs 45 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      26 to 28 August 2008 to date
    Questions placed on notice 215^ 725*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions) 51 453
    Question time held on: 3 sitting days 23 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 17 19.7
    Petitions presented 4 36
    Signatories to petitions 2 742 68 335
    Divisions 5 54

    ^ Questions placed on notice from 27 June to 28 August 2008 inclusive
    * Questions placed on notice from 12 February to 28 August 2008 inclusive

    Legislation
      26 to 28 August 2008 to date
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 0 8
    private senators' bills 2 21
    Received from the House of Representatives 7 104
    Passed in the Senate 4 88
    Bills negatived or discharged from the Notice Paper 1 6
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 0 11
    Bills referred to committees 1 47
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 0 40
  • 8/2008 - 1 to 4 September

    Business conducted in the Senate - 1 to 4 September

    Government business 42%; General business 28%; Questions 13%; MPI/Urgency 8%; Business of the Senate 0%; Other 8%

    Business conducted in the Senate - 2008 to date

    Government business 43%; General business 27%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 2%; Business of the Senate 4%; Other 12%
    General
      1 to 4 September 2008 to date
    Number of sitting days 4 28
    Average length of a sitting day 8 hrs 40 mins 8 hrs 55 mins
    Longest sitting day 10 hrs 20 mins
    (3 September 2008)
    11 hrs 18 mins
    (19 June 2008)
    Shortest sitting day 6 hrs 21 mins
    (2 September 2008)
    2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February 2008)
    Hours of sitting 34 hrs 39 mins 249 hrs 47 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      1 to 4 September 2008 to date
    Government business 14 hrs 11 mins 103 hrs 55 mins
    General business 9 hrs 31 mins 64 hrs 48 mins
    Questions without notice 4 hrs 21 mins 28 hrs 44 mins
    Urgency/MPI 2 hrs 50 mins 3 hrs 51 mins
    Business of the Senate 0 hrs 0 mins 10 hrs 06 mins
    Other 2 hrs 44 mins 27 hrs 36 mins
    Adjournment debate 1 hr 02 mins 10 hrs 47 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      1 to 4 September 2008 to date
    Questions placed on notice 8^ 733*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions) 72 525
    Question time held on: 4 sitting days 27 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 18 19.4
    Petitions presented 4 40
    Signatories to petitions 11 668 80 003
    Divisions 8 62

    ^ Questions placed on notice from 29 August to 4 September 2008 inclusive
    * Questions placed on notice from 12 February to 4 September 2008 inclusive

    Legislation
      1 to 4 September 2008 to date
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 0 8
    private senators' bills 4 25
    Received from the House of Representatives 8 112
    Passed in the Senate 8 96
    Bills negatived or discharged from the Notice Paper 4 10
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 1 12
    Bills referred to committees 11 58
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 0 40
  • 9/2008 - 15 to 18 September

    Business conducted in the Senate - 15 to 18 September

    Government business 41%; General business 30%; Questions 13%; MPI/Urgency 6%; Business of the Senate 4%; Other 5%

    Business conducted in the Senate - 2008 to date

    Government business 43%; General business 27%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 2%; Business of the Senate 4%; Other 11%
    General
      15 to 18 September 2008 to date
    Number of sitting days 4 32
    Average length of a sitting day 8 hrs 45 mins 8 hrs 54 mins
    Longest sitting day 9 hrs 52 mins
    (17 September 2008)
    11 hrs 18 mins
    (19 June 2008)
    Shortest sitting day 7 hrs 24 mins
    (16 September 2008)
    2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February 2008)
    Hours of sitting 34 hrs 59 mins 284 hrs 46 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      15 to 18 September 2008 to date
    Government business 13 hrs 31 mins 117 hrs 26 mins
    General business 9 hrs 57 mins 74 hrs 45 mins
    Questions without notice 4 hrs 24 mins 33 hrs 08 mins
    Urgency/MPI 2 hrs 04 mins 5 hrs 55 mins
    Business of the Senate 1 hr 24 mins 11 hrs 30 mins
    Other 1 hr 30 mins 29 hrs 06 mins
    Adjournment debate 2 hrs 09 mins 12 hrs 56 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      15 to 18 September 2008 to date
    Questions placed on notice 4^ 737*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions) 78 603
    Question time held on: 4 sitting days 31 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 19.5 19.5
    Petitions presented 7 47
    Signatories to petitions 16 489 96 492
    Divisions 5 67

    ^ Questions placed on notice from 5 to 18 September 2008 inclusive
    * Questions placed on notice from 12 February to 18 September 2008 inclusive

    Legislation
      15 to 18 September 2008 to date
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 2 10
    private senators' bills 2 27
    Received from the House of Representatives 5 117
    Passed in the Senate 2 98
    Bills negatived or discharged from the Notice Paper 0 10
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 3 15
    Bills referred to committees 1 59
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 0 40
  • 10/2008 - 22 to 25 September

    Business conducted in the Senate - 22 to 25 September

    Government business 46%; General business 38%; Questions 13%; MPI/Urgency 3%; Business of the Senate 0%; Other 0%

    Business conducted in the Senate - 2008 to date

    Government business 43%; General business 29%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 2%; Business of the Senate 4%; Other 10%
    General
      22 to 25 September 2008 to date
    Number of sitting days 4 36
    Average length of a sitting day 8 hrs 51 mins 8 hrs 54 mins
    Longest sitting day 9 hrs 43 mins
    (24 September 2008)
    11 hrs 18 mins
    (19 June 2008)
    Shortest sitting day 7 hrs 19 mins
    (22 September 2008)
    2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February 2008)
    Hours of sitting 35 hrs 24 mins 320 hrs 10 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      22 to 25 September 2008 to date
    Government business 15 hrs 23 mins 132 hrs 49 mins
    General business 12 hrs 38 mins 87 hrs 23 mins
    Questions without notice 4 hrs 23 mins 37 hrs 31 mins
    Urgency/MPI 1 hr 01 min 6 hrs 56 mins
    Business of the Senate 0 hrs 0 mins 11 hrs 30 mins
    Other 05 mins 29 hrs 11 mins
    Adjournment debate 1 hr 54 mins 14 hrs 50 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      22 to 25 September 2008 to date
    Questions placed on notice 15^ 752*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions) 70 673
    Question time held on: 4 sitting days 35 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 17.5 19.2
    Petitions presented 1 48
    Signatories to petitions 2 254 98 746
    Divisions 18 85

    ^ Questions placed on notice from 19 to 25 September 2008 inclusive
    * Questions placed on notice from 12 February to 25 September 2008 inclusive

    Legislation
      22 to 25 September 2008 to date
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 2 12
    private senators' bills 3 30
    Received from the House of Representatives 10 127
    Passed in the Senate 11 109
    Bills negatived or discharged from the Notice Paper 1 11
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 4 19
    Bills referred to committees 10 69
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 0 40
  • 11/2008 - 13 to 16 October

    Business conducted in the Senate -13 to 16 October

    Government business 65%; General business 18%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 3%; Business of the Senate 0%; Other 2%

    Business conducted in the Senate - 2008 to date

    Government business 46%; General business 28%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 2%; Business of the Senate 3%; Other 9%
    General
      13 to 16 October 2008 to date
    Number of sitting days 4 40
    Average length of a sitting day 9 hrs 22 mins 8 hrs 56 mins
    Longest sitting day 9 hrs 45 mins
    (16 October 2008)
    11 hrs 18 mins
    (19 June 2008)
    Shortest sitting day 8 hrs 49 mins
    (13 October 2008)
    2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February 2008)
    Hours of sitting 37 hrs 30 mins 357 hrs 40 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      13 to 16 October 2008 to date
    Government business 23 hrs 24 mins 156 hrs 13 mins
    General business 6 hrs 33 mins 93 hrs 56 mins
    Questions without notice 4 hrs 09 mins 41 hrs 40 mins
    Urgency/MPI 1 hr 02 mins 7 hrs 58 mins
    Business of the Senate 0 hrs 0 mins 11 hrs 30 mins
    Other 37 mins 29 hrs 48 mins
    Adjournment debate 1 hr 45 mins 16 hrs 35 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      13 to 16 October 2008 to date
    Questions placed on notice 3^ 755*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions) 72 745
    Question time held on: 4 sitting days 39 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 18 19.1
    Petitions presented 2 50
    Signatories to petitions 857 99 603
    Divisions 14 99

    ^ Questions placed on notice from 26 September to 16 October 2008 inclusive
    * Questions placed on notice from 12 February to 16 October 2008 inclusive

    Legislation
      13 to 16 October 2008 to date
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 0 12
    private senators' bills 0 30
    Received from the House of Representatives 9 136
    Passed in the Senate 10 119
    Bills negatived or discharged from the Notice Paper 0 11
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 9 28
    Bills referred to committees 10 79
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 0 40
  • 12/2008 - 10 to 13 November

    Business conducted in the Senate -10 to 13 November

    Government business 43%; General business 38%; Questions 13%; MPI/Urgency 6%; Business of the Senate 0%; Other 0%

    Business conducted in the Senate - 2008 to date

    Government business 46%; General business 28%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 3%; Business of the Senate 3%; Other 8%
    General
      10 to 13 November 2008 to date
    Number of sitting days 4 44
    Average length of a sitting day 9 hrs 04 mins 8 hrs 57 mins
    Longest sitting day 9 hrs 51 mins
    (12 November 2008)
    11 hrs 18 mins
    (19 June 2008)
    Shortest sitting day 8 hrs 16 mins
    (11 November 2008)
    2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February 2008)
    Hours of sitting 36 hrs 15 mins 393 hrs 55 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      10 to 13 November 2008 to date
    Government business 14 hrs 07 mins 170 hrs 20 mins
    General business 12 hrs 18 mins 106 hrs 14 mins
    Questions without notice 4 hrs 19 mins 45 hrs 59 mins
    Urgency/MPI 1 hr 53 mins 9 hrs 51 mins
    Business of the Senate 0 hrs 0 mins 11 hrs 30 mins
    Other 05 mins 29 hrs 53 mins
    Adjournment debate 3 hrs 33 mins 20 hrs 08 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      10 to 13 November 2008 to date
    Questions placed on notice 58^ 813*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions) 73 818
    Question time held on: 4 sitting days 43 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 18.3 19
    Petitions presented 2 52
    Signatories to petitions 831 100 434
    Divisions 12 111

    ^ Questions placed on notice from 17 October to 13 November 2008 inclusive
    * Questions placed on notice from 12 February to 13 November 2008 inclusive

    Legislation
      10 to 13 November 2008 to date
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 0 12
    private senators' bills 2 32
    Received from the House of Representatives 14 150
    Passed in the Senate 13 132
    Bills negatived or discharged from the Notice Paper 3 14
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 0 28
    Bills referred to committees 2 81
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 0 40
  • 13/2008 - 24 to 27 November

    Business conducted in the Senate - 24 to 27 November

    Government business 73%; General business 13%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 3%; Business of the Senate 0%; Other 0%

    Business conducted in the Senate - 2008 to date

    Government business 48%; General business 27%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 3%; Business of the Senate 3%; Other 7%
    General
      24 to 27 November 2008 to date
    Number of sitting days 4 48
    Average length of a sitting day 10 hrs 22 mins 9 hrs 04 mins
    Longest sitting day 12 hrs 27 mins
    (27 November 2008)
    12 hrs 27 mins
    (27 November 2008)
    Shortest sitting day 8 hrs 45 mins
    (24 November 2008)
    2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February 2008)
    Hours of sitting 41 hrs 27 mins 435 hrs 22 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      24 to 27 November 2008 to date
    Government business 28 hrs 39 mins 198 hrs 59 mins
    General business 5 hrs 00 mins 111 hrs 14 mins
    Questions without notice 4 hrs 32 mins 50 hrs 31 mins
    Urgency/MPI 1 hr 03 mins 10 hrs 54 mins
    Business of the Senate 0 hrs 0 mins 11 hrs 30 mins
    Other 05 mins 29 hrs 58 mins
    Adjournment debate 2 hrs 08 mins 22 hrs 16 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      24 to 27 November 2008 to date
    Questions placed on notice 229^ 1042*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions) 116 934
    Question time held on: 4 sitting days 47 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 29 19.9
    Petitions presented 1 53
    Signatories to petitions 15 337 115 771
    Divisions 18 129

    ^ Questions placed on notice from 14 to 27 November 2008 inclusive
    * Questions placed on notice from 12 February to 27 November 2008 inclusive

    Legislation
      24 to 27 November 2008 to date
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 1 13
    private senators' bills 1 33
    Received from the House of Representatives 10 160
    Passed in the Senate 16 148
    Bills negatived or discharged from the Notice Paper 0 14
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 4 32
    Bills referred to committees 3 84
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 0 40
  • 14/2008 - 1 to 4 December

    Business conducted in the Senate - 1 to 4 December

    Government business 58%; General business 20%; Questions 9%; MPI/Urgency 0%; Business of the Senate 7%; Other 6%

    Business conducted in the Senate - 2008

    Government business 49%; General business 26%; Questions 12%; MPI/Urgency 2%; Business of the Senate 3%; Other 7%
    General
      1 to 4 December 2008
    Number of sitting days 4 52
    Average length of a sitting day 11 hrs 34 mins 9 hrs 16 mins
    Longest sitting day 15 hrs 41 mins
    (4 December 2008)
    15 hrs 41 mins
    (4 December 2008)
    Shortest sitting day 10 hrs 02 mins
    (1 December 2008)
    2 hrs 58 mins
    (12 February 2008)
    Hours of sitting 46 hrs 15 mins 481 hrs 37 mins
    Business conducted in the Senate
      1 to 4 December 2008
    Government business 25 hrs 42 mins 224 hrs 41 mins
    General business 8 hrs 44 mins 119 hrs 58 mins
    Questions without notice 4 hrs 12 mins 54 hrs 43 mins
    Urgency/MPI 0 hrs 0 mins 10 hrs 54 mins
    Business of the Senate 3 hrs 19 mins 14 hrs 49 mins
    Other 2 hrs 32 mins 32 hrs 30 mins
    Adjournment debate 1 hr 46 mins 24 hrs 02 mins
    Questions, petitions, divisions
      1 to 4 December 2008
    Questions placed on notice 124^ 1166*
    Questions without notice (including supplementary questions)+ 116 1050
    Question time held on: 4 sitting days 51 sitting days
    Average daily number of questions without notice 29 20.6
    Petitions presented 0 53
    Signatories to petitions 0 115 771
    Divisions 22 151

    ^ Questions placed on notice from 28 November to 4 December 2008 inclusive
    * Questions placed on notice from 12 February to 4 December 2008 inclusive
    + On 24 November 2008 the format of question time was changed to include 2 supplementaries per question

    Legislation
      1 to 4 December 2008 to date
    Introduced in the Senate
    government bills 4 17
    private senators' bills 1 34
    Received from the House of Representatives 5 165
    Passed in the Senate 16 164
    Bills negatived or discharged from the Notice Paper 1 15
    Bills exempted from the 'cut-off' 5 37
    Bills referred to committees 8 92
    Bills restored to Notice Paper 0 40