The seat of Ms. Sarah Budhu was declared vacant with effect from October 31, 2016. Mr. Kazim Hosein was appointed to replace Ms. Budhu.

Senator Kazim Hosein took his oath of allegiance.

The Finance (No. 3) Bill 2016 will be brought from the House of Representatives by the Minister of Finance.

Forty-two papers were laid in the names of the Minister of Finance, Minister of Public Administration and Communications, Minister of Health, Vice-President of the Senate, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, Minister of Labour and Small Enterprise Development and Leader of Government Business. See Order Paper for details.

Eight Reports were presented. See Order Paper for details.

Two urgent questions will be posed. See Order Paper for details.

Five questions qualified for oral answer. See Order Paper for details.

In accordance with Standing Order 79(2) of the Senate, appointments were made to the following Sessional Select Committees: Standing Orders Committee, House Committee, Committee of Privileges, Statutory Instruments Committee and the Business Committee of the Senate. You can view these appointments here.

It was the intention of the Senate to begin debate on the Finance (No. 3) Bill 2016 and related motions. The Leader of Government Business indicated that such debate can take place at a later date since he received the opinion of the Treasury Solicitor that the Provisional Collection of Taxes Order, 2016 continues in operation until the Finance (No. 3) Bill, 2016 is passed and assented. The Sitting concluded at 2:25 p.m. The Senate adjourned to a date to be fixed.