Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

They do want to know the answer, but they do not want to hear the answers in a political climate such as Senator O’Brien is trying to whip up. What they want is a rigorous, robust inquiry as will be conducted by Mr Callinan. Therefore, whether certain procedures were or were not followed at Eastern Creek is not something on which I am going to speculate. That is something for Mr Callinan to determine and for him to make commentary on. I leave it at that. This is a serious matter. Believe it or not, the Senate unanimously agreed to this inquiry just a matter of a few hours ago. What I suggest to all honourable senators, especially Senator O’Brien, as he is so interested in showers, is that people should take a cold shower, take a deep breath and allow Mr Callinan to do his work.