Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I congratulate the government and the opposition, including Senator Abetz for his contribution. I think it is a very important piece of legislation and also that we have seen political cooperation in the Senate in coming to this conclusion. I think there will be 22 million Australians who will be relieved by this outcome. I congratulate the government and the Deputy Prime Minister for the work that has been put into the legislation and for ensuring that the program they took to the election in 2007 has now come to fruition. I congratulate the opposition for the contribution that has been made and the amendments that they have succeeded in having passed. In particular, I congratulate them for giving the accord to the legislation at half past two in the morning.

I want to congratulate my fellow crossbenchers for their contributions as well—not least, of course, Senator Siewert, who has put an enormous amount of work into this legislation. We Greens would have liked to have seen greater protection in the workplace and a greater ability for unions, not least to be able to assist workers to get better outcomes, but you cannot have all that you want. We are pleased as well to have contributed suggestions and amendments to this legislation which have been adopted here in the Senate tonight. I think it is an extremely good outcome from the Senate for the people of Australia. Workers, employers and people in general can be pleased with the work that the Senate has done and the conclusion that has been reached at 2.30 on this Friday morning.