Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Sorry—Senator Macdonald. I am sure he does not mind the affectionate term. The possible proposal that may come forward and may be part of an inquiry that may be supported by the people conducting the inquiry that one day may be considered by the government is something that probably would fall into the hypothetical category on most days. But I am happy to say what I have said all along on a whole range of these issues. We put forward broad terms of reference and will look at a range of issues. We welcome the inquiry and we welcome the input from Senator Macdonald, Senator Brown and anybody else who wants to put in a submission. We will see what the inquiry puts forward. But the government reserves its right to consider that amongst all the other evidence and considerations at the time.

We are not prejudging any of these issues. We note the point that Senator Macdonald makes. But we will see what the inquiry brings forward and then we will give it due consideration at the time. That is not ruling anything in or anything out of the hypotheticals that you are asking me to rule in and out.