Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

As Senator Abetz will probably recall, our policy—and I think it was the first—as opposed to the implementation plan, indicated that our objective was a single national system and we indicated that we would use all available powers to achieve that.

Senator Abetz, I am very happy to stay here today and tomorrow and into next week, if that is what you want, to debate this issue. I would remind the chamber and opposition senators that, as I understand the opposition’s position, you are not opposing this bill; you are supporting this legislation. I understand why Senator Abetz feels a proprietary interest in defending Work Choices, in defending the legacy of the legislation he put through the chamber which was so resoundingly rejected at the last election. I understand that that is troublesome for Senator Abetz, but the reality is that he is now part of a party which has put up the white flag on this issue. Senator Abetz, you can make any point you wish in this chamber, but your party has put up the white flag on this issue. You have recognised—