Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

This government has committed to providing stable and effective government and to look into implementing its election program and its legislative program. In the first few weeks in office we have undertaken to make sure that the structures are in place to allow us to do that. After the Governor-General allowed the Prime Minister to form a government, we formed a ministry and have sought to put in place arrangements which will allow us to govern effectively. As many know, minority governments have successfully governed in many other countries. We have had only one previous experience with this in Australia. But this government is committed to governing effectively and for all Australians, and we are looking to implement its legislative reform agenda through the life of this parliament. We are absolutely committed to that. We will look to work with all parties in this parliament, and all independents and minors, to try to implement the government’s reform and build consensus around some of the big challenges confronting this country. So we do seek to honour our commitments, and we do seek to work with the other members of parliament to achieve those reforms.

It will be interesting to watch how the House of Representatives learns to adapt to the new situation. I think all senators will probably in some small way enjoy the adjustment process that occurs in the House of Representatives as they come to learn how to operate in a way that the Senate is perhaps more familiar with and learn some of the skills that senators have developed over many years. But I digress. I can assure the senator that we will be pursuing our agenda. (Time expired)