George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, on the point of order: if you are minded to rule on Senator Brown’s point of order now, then can I remind you that on numerous occasions both committee chairs, from the current government and the current opposition, have, in committee proceedings of the Senate, ruled that the question of whether or not legal advice has been sought is a valid question. The same principle ought to apply in this chamber. Mr President, can I respectfully suggest that you consider the matter before giving a ruling which would be potentially at variance with established practice.