Natasha Stott Despoja (SA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to get back to the debate at hand. I am not quite sure how this has degenerated into personal attacks, but nothing surprises me in this place at the moment. I want to place on record that the Australian Democrats are happy to support the amendment that has been proposed by Senator Brown on behalf of the Greens. One of the reasons for us supporting that is the policy matter that is before us for debate. As the then Leader of the Australian Democrats back in 2002, I introduced a comparable piece of legislation. I note that Senator Abetz also acknowledged Senator Murray’s charter of honesty legislation—the Minister of State Post Retirement Employment Restriction Bill 2002—which was reintroduced in 2004.

This is worthy legislation that deserves examination and report. For that reason we will be supporting it. It is because of the policy matter only—on that basis—that we are happy to support this amendment. Mr President, as you would well be aware, my colleague and the Democrats deputy leader, Senator Bartlett, has repeatedly placed on record our views in relation to the selection of bills process.