Chris Bowen (Prospect, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to make some brief remarks in support of the honourable member for Watson. I was astounded to hear the parliamentary secretary in his remarks say, ‘The opposition’s reasons for opposing this are weak,’ when he had not, and his government had not, put up any reasons at all for the change. As the honourable member for Watson said, when the government proposed a change from two to three years, there was a serious national discussion. It was an agenda item at COAG. The premiers had their say. There were national security implications discussed. The minister brought it into the chamber and put up the reasons for moving to three years. Then we have the issuance of a press release and the parliamentary secretary saying we are going from three to four. No reasons. No explanation.

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