Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I too oppose, on behalf of the coalition, this amendment. I would say to the member for Melbourne that it is quite stark that he has no support for any of the amendments he has moved today in the House. It should be a salient lesson for him that he cannot run with the hares and the hounds in this place. He will actually have to form some partnerships, if he really does want to get something through—

Mr Bandt interjecting—

and you cannot always rely on the Labor Party, old son. You should think about occasionally voting with us, and we might carefully consider any amendments that you are prepared to put up to the House. In this case, I would have tipped you off. But, because the element of retrospectivity is anathema to the coalition, even though it is not anathema to the Labor Party because, Lord knows, Kevin Rudd could come back, we will not be supporting this amendment. Having said that, I would say to the member for Melbourne: please feel free to enter into a constructive dialogue with the coalition. After all, you do sit on this side of the House but you always vote on that side of the House.

Question negatived.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

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