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

No, I am not offering myself, thank you, Senator Bernardi. But that is very kind of you to suggest that I might be able to perform in that role. It would be, with respect, like seeking the opinion of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia in relation to a matter economic or a matter geological. I can understand the motivation for Senator Fielding’s amendment and, indeed, the opinion polls tell us that 81 per cent of Australians, despite $13-plus million of government advertising, are still very confused about this legislation.

In relation to the Productivity Commission, I say to the honourable senator that, as I understand it, it is only the government and, more correctly I think—somebody will correct me on this—the Treasurer who would be able to advise or instruct the Productivity Commission to undertake a particular study. It has been the view of the coalition that it would be beneficial to have a Senate inquiry, but we understand the fact that there are not the numbers in the Senate for such an inquiry and that is why we will not pursue that and delay the chamber further.

But I thought I should point out that our opposition to Senator Fielding’s suggestion is in no way based on the suggestion that there has been enough community debate. The fact that 81 per cent of Australians are of the view that they do not know enough about this suggests that there is confusion within the community and more information should be provided, but with respect to Senator Fielding I do not think that the two mechanisms of a royal commission as enunciated and the Productivity Commissioner’s approach would be an appropriate course of action.