Amanda Vanstone (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I can fix that, Senator! This is a technical area. Unless you were the world’s most knowledgeable person in this area you would have to agree that either side might have it wrong. But we are very strongly of the view that what Labor and the Democrats are both seeking to do—and it is clear what you are both seeking to do—you fail to do, because of a misreading of the legislation. What you would do is what I outlined in my remarks: you would require two sets of regulations—two different sets in each case, but nonetheless two. You would not achieve the aim that you are seeking to.

For, say, a bottle of good South Australian red, I will explain it to you—but not now—so that if the bill comes up again you will have the opportunity to get it right. And then the government might say yes. But you would not achieve what you are trying to with your proposed amendments. I am working on the best advice I have. We can see what you want to do, but you are not achieving it. You are doing something quite different. I have looked at this myself, and on one occasion I was able to see it and on another I had to say, ‘Talk me through it again.’ It is a bit like the candle that you look at and sometimes you can see the two faces and other times you see the candle. I am prepared to go so far as to admit that the regulation is written in such a way that makes it inextricably difficult to amend and achieve what you want to achieve. On this occasion, you have not come up with the goods.