Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Every senator is equal, but there are 30-odd senators who ducked and got out of this very early on, who have no relevance in this debate at all. The Australian people know you are not relevant. It is important that senators consider their position. I would welcome the opposition reconsidering their position. I would welcome it because they ought to think about what they are doing here if this is defeated. Sure, if Senator Xenophon does not support us, he will come under intense scrutiny, but so will the opposition. I want to stress that the government are absolutely committed to getting this package through. We are absolutely committed to providing the economic stimulus that is needed in the Australian economy. I urge all senators to support the package. As I said, I foreshadow that, if we do not get the support, we will come back and try again until we get the Senate to understand the huge importance and the urgency that is associated with these measures.