Stormy Canberra Sitting As Bills Rushed Through

Press, Volume C, Issue 29517, 19 May 1961, Page 11

Stormy Canberra Sitting As Bills Rushed Through

,HZ AMocwtlo"— Lovvnyno

CANBERRA. May 18 The Government rushed 11 bills through the Senate to a stormy sitting that went all through the night and ended at 12.16 this afternoon. The sitting extended over 21 hours 16 minutes, with only two breaks —two hours for dinner last night ard 70 minutes for breakfast today The Senate then rose for the winter reeess The Government forced the all-night sitting to deal with a backlog of bills forced through the House of Representatives in the last few days These included the contentious bill to give longservice leave to wharnner. and the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories Bill The Opposition leader tn the Senate. Senator McKenna protested and said the Government’s . action was "harsh, brutal, and inhuman As Senator McKenca spoke, the ■ rebel" Liberal. Senator Wright, nodded his head tn agreement, and ca. ed oti Vuring the night there were angry sceres . . repeated Labour demands for juorums to bring back wea.y

members who had quietly left the chamber. Sleeping Senators were spraw'ed over the chamber’s upholstered benches. and several Liberal Senators stretched out on the almost deserted Opposition benches Just before the adjournment for breakfast at 750 am. the Wharfmen’s Leave Bill was passed through all stages After the resumption. . the Commonwealth Serum’ Laboratories Bill wenl through its three reading stages in 3 hours 16 minutes The bill provides for a fivemember commission to control the laboratories Tension rose late yesterdav when the Government issued an ultimatum that it to pass 11 bills before it would agree to adjourn Led by Senator McKenna and his deputy. Senator Kennelly, repeated attacks were made cm the Government fot insisting that the bills be dealt with in one sitting.

Senator McKenna described the proceedings as bevtg the "worst thing that had happened in the chamber for a very long time Quite frankly. I am almost ashamed of being a member of the national Parliament.” he said