Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

Absolutely hand-picked commissioner. And if you are not willing, as a government, to respond to those recommendations then what on earth is this motion about? It's about politics. As I've said—and I've said it many, many times—the member for Maribyrnong is trying to squeeze every single drop of political advantage out of this. The reality is that people see that for what it is. Australians know that this now is being cynically used by the Labor Party, and I think, to be frank, that ruins your credibility on this issue. Sure, you don't have the 'sincere in chief' minister pushing this, but the utter lack of subtlety and sincerity, I think, is atrocious. That's why the very sensible amendment moved by the Manager of Opposition Business should be supported by those who are sitting opposite me.

The reality is that there have been many times in political history when the House has apologised, and often there has been a willingness to apologise for the deeds of others. We very rarely see governments—or members of parliament, quite frankly—willing to apologise for things that they've done. They're always very willing to apologise for the sins of the past of others. But—to come to sincerity—you can only be sincere if you're willing to apologise for your own misjudgements and your own failures.

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