Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I share the concerns of Senator Fielding. We are not an appendage of the lower house. I think that the advice of the Clerk of the Senate was very robust in relation to this, in relation to section 53. I would back the advice of the Clerk in relation to this. I think that it is very unfortunate that the government has not gone down this particular path, that it has not seen fit to release this advice. I too share the very deep concerns of Senator Fielding  and the opposition in relation to this, because this sets a very poor precedent. It is something that I do not think will facilitate the workings between the two houses in relation to contentious pieces of legislation. I strongly support the concerns that have been expressed in relation to the government’s inability to assist with providing legal advice in this matter.