Joyce says Senate could sit on weekend
- — 25 March, 2011 11:52
Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce says the parliament could sit over the weekend to debate laws relating to the national broadband network (NBN).
The Senate is sitting an extra day on Friday to debate 23 pages of amendments to laws governing the NBN's commercial operations.
The House of Representatives is due to return for a special sitting on Monday to pass the amendments, but can only do so after they go through the Senate.
Senator Joyce said not enough time had been given to scrutinise the changes, which were revealed by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy on Wednesday.
Asked on Sky News whether the Senate could sit over the weekend, Senator Joyce said: "Well, it could be. What we've seen is the Labor Party once more ... not across the detail".
"(Senator Conroy) hasn't got it all together. He is desperately trying to get agreements with the independents.
"(Lower house independent) Tony Windsor is over near the chamber like a moth near a flame. We've got every person buzzing around."
As to when the changes would be put to a vote, Senator Joyce said: "Your guess is as good as mine".
"But I think we will be here all of today - until Senator Conroy convinces people to vote for the bill, and he hasn't done it."
