Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

The very point I take in addressing the Democrats’ woeful position on this has just been endorsed by Senator Murray. Legislation comes in here in March—and where is it? Nowhere to be seen. Why? Because it is relegated to the vastness of private senator’s time in a government-controlled Senate where it is simply not going to get to a vote. But this amendment must come to a vote. That is the difference, Senator Murray. This is a real amendment which the government has to deal with. They can put yours off until after the next election—no trouble—but they cannot do that with this piece of legislation.

I take back the word ‘stupid’. It is simply too bad, it is simply inexcusable, I think, that the Democrats, Labor and the coalition have all turned down this opportunity to do something about this rampaging epidemic of obesity which is causing so much hurt and harm out there in the community. I reiterate that. I do not think it is funny. Chair, I just do not think it is funny, and senators might take it a bit more seriously.