Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I want to very briefly speak to the crossbench in relation to what I think is a very important element of this particular amendment, and that is that, given the tragedy that we have seen in Queensland and given the precedence of what has taken place here in this parliament over a long time, I believe that the most important element of business before the House today is to conduct a condolence motion now.

There is no attempt to delay the bill; I'm happy to give every commitment that the time lines will be met. But the precedence of this House and the way in which this House has conducted its affairs in the past—and I conveyed this to the Prime Minister yesterday—is that this House should deal with the most important matter before the House, and that is to recognise the tragic circumstances in Queensland. This is not a delaying tactic; we give that undertaking. I would ask the teals to consider that element of the amendment, which I put to them most sincerely. I think, out of respect to the circumstances and to the loss of life there, this House—as a matter of precedence, and given the way in which this House has conducted its affairs for a long time—should deal with that element of business as a priority before other business comes on.

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