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

Generally, you can judge a contribution by the level of sound and fury and the absence of facts. Senator Abetz really does take the cake. He seeks to censure the government on the basis of us seeking to facilitate debate on the clean energy bills. The Liberal-Nationals opposition have made it clear that they will oppose everything. They will seek to delay, filibuster and do anything they can procedurally to prevent the debate. Why? Because they have nothing to contribute to the debate. They have nothing to say. They have no amendments, no constructive contribution to the debate. All they can do is hide behind delay, delay, delay and procedural arguments. They have nothing to say about the policy.

For Senator Abetz and the Liberal Party to come in here and try to lecture us about abuse of the Senate and about the procedural matters of the Senate is an absolute disgrace. What a hide for you to come into this chamber, Senator Abetz, and try to lecture us. We remember Work Choices and the way you rammed through legislation week after week, month after month, abusing your majority in this place.