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

Mr President, I think those listening to the broadcast would be a bit surprised that at a time of the fighting in Libya, the earthquake in Japan, the earthquake in Christchurch and the many serious economic and social issues confronting Australia the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate chooses to ask a question about what the Prime Minister said about Bob Brown. Talk about an opposition that has lost its way! This is not what is concerning the Australian public, I can assure Senator Abetz of that. It really does indicate just how out of touch the opposition are. But I might say that, while ‘calculating’ is sometimes used as a term of derision against individuals more generally, ‘calculating’ for a politician is largely regarded as a compliment, I suspect, by many because it indicates—