Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Just for the record, I indicate the opposition’s support for the motion. We do believe that at a time of national tragedy of this kind it is more appropriate for the parliament to get on with parliamentary business. While question time is obviously from an opposition’s point of view a critically important part of the process—and I respect what Senator Brown is saying—we think that, at a time when the nation is focusing on the tragedy in Victoria, the potential for things to occur during a parliamentary question time which would not be conducive or consistent with the national mood is such that it is appropriate that there not be a question time today.