Ruth Webber (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—As I understand it, the usual custom and practice in this place when we are going to debate matters like this is that the opposition is actually informed. I am having a great deal of difficulty discovering anyone in the opposition who was informed that this matter was going to be raised. Therefore, it is a little unusual to be presented with the information in this way and just have to accept on face value what is being said when I cannot even actually recall exactly what the parliamentary secretary said. Perhaps the government could take on board that, if we are going to throw all the niceties, custom and practice and stuff out of the window, life can get difficult. Although the government has the numbers and can make its presence felt, life can get very difficult indeed. It has already been a bit bumpy here today, not due to those of us in this part of the chamber, I would have to say. I would hope that this is not going to be the way that we are going to treat all returns to order from hereon in.