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

I just want to be upfront. I think the government and the opposition know that my negotiating style is to tell everybody—both sides at the same time—what I am doing. I think that is the best way to deal with things in this place. I just had a quiet private conversation with Senator Macdonald, and I am happy to repeat what I said to him to the chamber—that is, the government introduced some further amendments yesterday. They were not insubstantial amendments. There were two amendments that I have some concerns about in relation to the points-of-interconnection authorisation and also in relation to the bundling of services and how those services can be offered. Senator Birmingham would be familiar with those amendments, as would other colleagues and of course the government. I do have some concerns, principally in relation to those two amendments. I would like to discuss that further with my colleagues. In fact, I had a brief conversation with Senator Birmingham about those concerns. I want to reserve my position to, if necessary, move amendments.