Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

Speaking to the motion, I simply make this brief point: last week we were told that this new process in terms of urgent motions was something that would be used in extreme circumstances and only with the best of all possible faith in this new, kinder, gentler parliament that we apparently are all enjoying. But just one week later—indeed, only about two or three sitting days later—what do you know! It turns out that the government does need to use this new urgent bill procedure. I confidently predict to the House and to the Australian people that we will see this being done a lot.

Don't judge them by what they say; judge them by what they do. What we are seeing here is a government that is determined to ram matters through this House of Representatives as quickly as it can. It's cloaked it with some apparatus which suggests that it is in some way a kinder, gentler approach to compulsion. That is not an accurate description of the facts, ladies and gentlemen. Judge them by how they behave and not by what they say.

Question agreed to.

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