Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The government implemented those policies, as the member is aware. The government then determined that it was appropriate to have an approach of breaking the people smugglers' business model through the agreement with Malaysia. As the member is well aware—and he had this experience too when he was minister—there were difficulties in the High Court with that approach. The member can probably give chapter and verse about experiencing such difficulties as the minister for immigration. In those circumstances, we came to this parliament in order to amend the relevant legislation. We faced political gridlock, despite offering compromises—

Dr Jensen interjecting—

See this speech in context