Michael Forshaw (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

But I do not attempt to give a legal opinion, Senators! One of the mistakes that lawyers and others make is to engage in sophistry—false argument. You create a conclusion and then you try and develop a clever argument to lead you to that conclusion. In some cases what happens is that you actually leave out pertinent facts or pertinent material or evidence that should be put.

The assertion has been made, Mr President, that you denied Senator Abetz his right to seek leave. I regard that as a reflection upon the chair and I do not accept it. That may be debated more fully. My recollection of what happened during question time was that, as has been stated, Senator Abetz rose to his feet after being given the call as an opposition frontbencher in accordance with the list agreed between the parties and the whips of the order of questions for today. That is a very important point because Senator Abetz was given the call on the basis that it was the turn of the opposition to ask a question. That is a procedure that is agreed between the parties, as we know.