Crossbenchers seek to bring on debate

Crossbenchers have failed to gain enough support in federal parliament to suspend business in order to bring on bills dealing with the health of Nauru asylum seekers, coal-fired power and an anti-corruption commission.

Greens MP Adam Bandt sought to bring on the private members' bills on Wednesday, but despite the 73-72 vote in favour did not gain the 76 votes needed for such a motion.

Labor supported the motion, raising the point that the parliament had passed laws dealing with the strawberry contamination issue in record time.