Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

It would have made sense for this amendment to be further up on the running sheet, I would have thought, but these things happen. At least Senator Xenophon and I know what we are talking about, but we will wait and see if the minister on this occasion does as well.

Can I say to Senator Xenophon that ballooning this out to the year 2012—what is that: four years away, at least one federal election away?—and putting it on the agenda is, I suppose, noteworthy but it really does not do much. I must say I am not attracted one way or the other to the proposition. I do not think it really takes us forward, but the opposition will not be dividing the chamber on this one.