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

We had a discussion on this last evening. My contribution to that might have been described as, in effect, a cognate debate on these two matters. I indicated the coalition’s position: we thought our amendments were better. Senator Xenophon did not see his way clear to agreeing. The minister said only last night that he could not find his way clear to supporting us, and I have a funny feeling that, despite being given the benefit of a new morning, he has not changed his mind overnight. In the circumstances, we say of Senator Xenophon’s amendment: we are not sure that it is going to do any good, in reality, but it definitely will not do any harm and, as a result, we are happy to support it.