Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President, for the opportunity to say a few words during this adjournment debate. It is a pleasure to follow on from Senator Farrell. At the outset of my contribution can I restate the comments I made earlier today in an address to the chamber about the sympathies that I, and all South Australians and Australians, extend to those in Victoria. I particularly praise Senator Marshall and Senator Troeth for the contributions that they made earlier in that debate.

I say it is a pleasure to follow on from Senator Farrell because it is nice to see that Senator Farrell has been let off the leash. It would of course have been nice to have seen Senator Farrell, or indeed any member of those opposite, make a contribution to the hour upon hour of debate we had about the $42 billion spending spree package. Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, none of them could; none of them would; none of them did. I am sure Senator Farrell would have made a most worthwhile contribution to that debate had he decided to do so, had he not been instructed or at least had it suggested to him that it would be wise not to do so.

I find it quite amazing that, as we seek to spend some $42 billion through this place, not one of those opposite could make a contribution. Senator Farrell obviously has such passion that he wished to make a contribution as the second last speaker in the adjournment debate tonight—he was clearly stymied from doing so throughout the hours of debate that occurred last week and this week on this most important measure.