Sittings
20th Sitting of the Senate
1st Session - 13th Republican Parliament
Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Dominic Smith, who is out of the country. Mr. Rishi Tripathi was appointed temporary senator in his absence.
Temporary Senator Rishi Tripathi took the oath of allegiance.
The President of the Senate, Sen. the Hon. Wade Mark informed of two privilege matters received from Sen. Anthony Vieira, SC, and Sen. Dr. Amery Browne. He ruled that neither of the two submissions meet the threshold to be raised as matters of privilege.
The Bail (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was brought from the House of Representatives in the name of the Attorney General, who moved that the next stage of the bill be taken on Friday February 6, 2026. The motion was approved.
Two papers were laid. See the Order Paper.
Two urgent questions were posed and answered. See Order Paper.
There were four Questions on Notice listed on the Order Paper. All questions were answered.
The Minister of Land and Legal Affairs, Sen. the Hon. Saddam Hosein, moved the second reading of the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Debate began on the bill, with seven Senators making contributions before the Minister rose to conclude the debate. The Bill was then read a second time. The Bill was then referred to a Committee of the Whole Senate to be considered clause by clause, where it was approved without amendment. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. At third reading, a division was taken, the result of which was 30 for, none against, no abstentions.
The Minister of Land and Legal Affairs, Hon. Saddam Hosein, MP, moved a motion to approve the Land Acquisition (Requisition) Order, 2025. Four senators contributed to the debate before the wind up by the Minister of Land and Legal Affairs. The motion was approved.
The Sitting concluded at 7:31 p.m.