Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

He says, 'Wasn't it because the Senate spoke for too long?' We had already adjourned before they had had the debate. We could have dealt with these amendments prior to the Senate considering it in the first place. We have seen nothing but incompetence from the government in dealing with this.

Honourable members interjecting—

I would like, as a final moment, and a non-partisan moment, so you can all just be quiet for a second—

Honourable members interjecting—

If you could all be quiet for a second as this is important.

Honourable members interjecting—

Scott, seriously. On a straight non-partisan basis, today is the last time that the Parliamentary Liaison Officer, Annette Cronin, will be joining us in the chamber. She has served the parliament well during the entire term of this parliament. I think it is appropriate—and you can see the contrast when we speak about you, Annette!—that the parliament acknowledges the contribution that has been made. Not a lot of legislation has gone through the parliament, but for everything that has gone through the engagement that has happened is a full credit to the work of Annette Cronin. I wish you well.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

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