Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I have no wish for the parliament on a day such as this to be needlessly inflamed. I have no wish on a day such as this for a whole lot of unnecessary procedural argy-bargy to be taking place between the government and the opposition. A motion to suspend standing orders has been moved by me to provide the parliament with a way forward through these very difficult circumstances. We now witness a certain disagreement between the Leader of the House and the Manager of Opposition Business. I respectfully suggest to members opposite that the 90-second statements period not now proceed, that our suspension be dealt with and then that which the government is proposing to do at two o'clock take place. That way each side gets a fair go.

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