Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

On the same matter, I indicate on behalf of the Labor opposition that we will be supporting the President’s leave. Quite frankly, Senator Brown, I have not heard such a complete amount of nonsense in many a year. There is no question that the President is entitled to seek leave like any another senator. It seems to me that this is a reasonable reason for him to be going. I do not think anyone can accuse the current President of not attending to his duties. I have disagreements with him on occasions, but it is certainly not the case that he does not make every endeavour to be in the Senate while the Senate sits—unlike some of the ministers, who are increasingly absent, but that is a debate for another motion. I think some of the ministers have not taken their responsibilities to the Senate seriously enough in terms of attendance and performance. But, in terms of Senator Calvert seeking leave, I think it is a perfectly reasonable thing.

I point out that the reason we are sitting on Friday is by agreement, not by use of the numbers. It is by agreement following a leaders and whips meeting to transact—