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

This has obviously been a very important debate, and on behalf of the Labor Party I would like to thank Senator Sherry for his contribution and the excellent way he has dealt with this legislation in the chamber. We all appreciate his efforts.

I think many people listening to the debate today would wonder where the parliament is at. There is a broad national consensus that this economic stimulus package is necessary and urgent. If you look at the commentary, be it from economists, from governments or from community organisations, you will see that there is broad support for the direction and the size of the package. The Liberal Party are isolated on this because they get no support for their position from any of the people who have knowledge or expertise in this area.

We have again seen bluster and rhetoric today from the opposition. It is a sign of their self-imposed impotence. They are angry and hurt. But one thing we do know is that they are relieved. The whole chamber is relieved that this bill will pass: the government because we think it is urgent and important and delivers on our commitment to the Australian people; the minor parties because they have sought to negotiate on their agendas to make the package, in their minds, better, and I think we have a very good compromise in that regard; and the Liberal-National Party because they will not have to be held responsible for the defeat of the package. I know there is a real sense of relief on that side. I accept they have preserved their political position, but they have failed the nation in putting their politics before the national interest.

We have debated these issues at great length. What I want to do today is acknowledge the contributions of those who have made a positive contribution to the debate. Senator Brown and the Greens have been abused for being responsible by the opposition. It is a new form of abuse for the Greens, I am sure they are not very comfortable with that, but we do acknowledge the contribution the Greens have made—not only to amending the package, but also in trying to make sure that we get a result, that we do get a stimulus package that supports Australian jobs. They have obviously had some wins in the environmental outcomes that they sought, but they have also been prepared to be reasonable and negotiate the appropriate balance.

Senator Fielding has also been very positive in this debate. His passion for the unemployed has come through, and I acknowledge that. It is one thing that we share. He knows that the government is working on more initiatives in that area, and he understands that that is why there is not quite as much in the employment program area in this package. The Deputy Prime Minister will have more to say about that, but I acknowledge Senator Fielding’s contribution.

I also acknowledge that Senator Xenophon has entered into this debate in a positive and constructive way. His focus has been on the Murray-Darling and that focus is shared by this government. We have already invested huge amounts into the project of supporting the Murray-Darling Basin. Senator Wong has made that a priority in her role as the minister for climate change. Today we have been able to reflect the government’s broad agenda and respond to Senator Xenophon’s priority to bring forward as much money as we could to have as immediate an impact as is possible.

The opposition and some of the commentariat get very excited about the process in the Senate. Perhaps I have been here too long, but this strikes me as normal Senate process, except when we have had a party that has had the majority. Perhaps the opposition are looking back longingly at those days before the last election. Of course the irony is it was the seed of their downfall, that it was their majority and their abuse of that which confined them to the opposition benches. Those of us who have been around a while know that this is how the Senate works. People make a judgment about whether that is how it works best, but that is how the Senate works when there is a balance of power situation. We have to balance the interests of those Independent and minor party senators who are trying to deliver on the issues that are their priorities, and the government have to deliver what they see as important to the national interest.

That process is always fraught. The minor parties always find there is a lot of pressure applied to them. Senator Fielding has been through it before; Senator Xenophon went through it on this occasion. I think that is just the way it works. But the most important thing is that, if these bills are carried, we have a great outcome in the national interest. I urge the Senate to carry this legislation and allow the government to implement the package that is designed to assist Australian families and protect jobs, to protect us from the worst impacts of the global financial crisis. So thank you to those who have indicated their support and we urge the Senate to carry these bills.

Bills agreed to.

Bills reported without amendments or requests; report adopted.