Ian Campbell (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Heritage) Share this | Hansard source

I think it is entirely appropriate that I apologise to senators for the late circulation of these amendments. I think that Senator O’Brien makes an entirely legitimate point. The unique nature of the situation as explained to me by the minister’s office is that these amendments, as I understand it, did flow from the Senate committee report. It is a very good process when a Senate committee inquires and we find alterations that can improve the legislation. As most senators know, this is the first day back. There are, I think, processes in the government parties similar to those in the opposition parties in terms of party procedures. We all know that it is important that all members of the Senate and, from the government’s point of view, members of the government have a chance to have a say on these things. We did in fact have a government members committee process and a government members meeting. I think in the opposition they call them caucus meetings. I think the Greens probably have party meetings these days now they have a few members. I think the Democrats still meet as a party. So that is the reason—they had to be cleared by our processes. The government is often asked to respect the caucus processes when we are seeking agreements on things. I do apologise to all senators who feel they have been disadvantaged due to the late circulation. But I know that the minister and I both sought to have the amendments circulated as soon as they had cleared all of the government processes.