Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I appreciate that, after 11½ years of what we have all been through, there are times when the mean, tricky and deceptive words that have been used by others may resonate with you, but the wording of this bill is in no way intended to do the things that you would be worried about if another government had been introducing this bill. We have clear, unambiguous commitments in this area. This is designed to dovetail with our climate change agenda; it is not designed to just be a few words on paper to get you to vote for it. This is about dovetailing our infrastructure and our climate change agendas.

Again I can reassure you that the wording is not designed to try to take it out of the debate; it is there because we believe it should be in the debate. Sir Rod Eddington has a track record in considering these issues, and I think you will find that this government’s track record in this area will stand up. I appreciate your comments and I appreciate your concerns. I do apologise that I was not able to have carriage of this yesterday, when we might have been able to debate it at greater length than I understand you did. I do welcome your contribution.

Question agreed to.

Resolution reported; report adopted.