Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

Well, Senator Collins, everything seems to be global with Labor. It is the blame game—‘It’s all global, nothing to do with this Prime Minister—he is not responsible for the most horrid recession that this country has seen in many, many years.’ So I welcome your interjection, Senator. But, again, we would all hope that someone starts taking responsibility. Many Australians see this place as leaderless; I acknowledge that.

I can assure you the focus at the moment is on those more vulnerable Australians, whom those on this side—and, I suspect, on the crossbench, including the Greens—believe are sufficiently important to be provided with all the information so we ensure that their future is secure and safe, primarily because we have all the information at hand. I think that is quite a reasonable position to take. So, unfortunately, it appears that we will not be able to support the first Greens amendment. We certainly will not be supporting the legislation without having a look at the report of the Harmer review.

Question put:

That the request (Senator Siewert’s) be agreed to.