Andrew Murray (WA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

The Democrats support this motion. We believe that, almost invariably—like the opposition, I probably cannot say always—a senator, a group of senators or, in this case, a party are entitled to have a bill referred to a committee for examination. This is an important and necessary point in the assessment of whether our laws are in conflict with the reality of the laws as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States and as accepted by the President of the United States and the Congress and Senate of the United States. The matter at hand is one of the worst examples of egregious conduct I can think of by this government. That you have deserted an Australian citizen, as you have done, is unfortunately going to be a blight on this government for all time, and history will not judge you kindly. You do lots of good works in other areas but unfortunately this stain will mark this government, and some of you need to do something about it. In the meantime the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, which is highly regarded in this place, should be entitled to do look at this matter on its merits.