Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—The Tax Laws Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009 is an extremely important bill and one that the government requires. I understand that the opposition understands the requirement for this. It contains, as I am informed, about $0.5 billion worth of necessary expenditure. It is on the list as a matter that we want to progress. We are not going to deal with it by splitting it. We are happy to try to achieve a result in committee if that can be done in short time. I recognise that there are many people here who have been here for some time and are keen to depart this place. Having said that, there are still the appropriation bills to be worked through as well—although I understand that they will not take a particularly long time. I would like to at least have an opportunity in committee to try and reach agreement with Senator Siewert in respect of this particular bill, but not if that cannot be achieved within a short time. I understand that Senator Siewert has indicated that she intends to pursue the matter with vigour, which is her right.