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

Very briefly, the opposition opposes that motion. I invited the government during my speech at the third reading stage to get off its one-seater bulldozer and actually engage in discussion. I say to the government: in all honesty, what do you think will be discussed and resolved between now and nine o’clock tomorrow morning? All that will happen is that pressure will be brought to bear on certain senators and the heat in relation to this issue will only be exacerbated rather than alleviated to allow good and proper discussion to take place.

It is quite clear that the Labor government, having been voted down by this Senate, are not willing to take that vote as the will of the Senate and are now trying to ram through exactly the same measure within a matter of 16 hours. Within about 16 hours of rejecting a whole raft of measures we would be asked to consider that raft of measures again. What would have changed? What negotiations would have taken place? What consultations does the Prime Minister have in mind for Senator Xenophon, for Senator Fielding or for Mr Turnbull? None of that has been planned, none of that is appropriate, and I suggest to Senator Evans that taking a bit of time out, taking a deep breath and allowing for proper discussion to take place would mean—