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

Is it a Saturday next year? You never know, I may be here on the Saturday. Maybe in anticipation of my relevance deprivation syndrome, Senator Ray, I will still be hanging about the place saying, ‘Don’t let me leave; I don’t want to go!’

Back to the matter at hand, as I have said, the Australian Democrats will not be supporting the proposal of the Greens. We certainly understand and support the intent behind the motion. An investigation into the handling of the Haneef case is a good idea. Do I want the parliament to do it? No. At this stage, while there are matters of sub judice and while we have an appeal pending, definitely not. I do acknowledge that my colleague Senator Bartlett is to move an amendment to this motion, with very good reason. Obviously, if this motion were to pass the parliament, there would be broader issues to do with migration law that would also be worthy of examination. Whether or not this inquiry proceeds, the Democrats are certainly as one in believing that it is not the most appropriate mechanism. For that reason and the other reasons I and other colleagues have outlined, we will not be supporting Senator Nettle’s motion today but understand the idea behind it.