Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Madam Acting Deputy President Boyce, that was a pretty silly submission from Senator Cash, and she knows it, but that is the nature of the opposition in this place.

Senator Williams interjecting—

Senator Cash interjecting—

You see? We listened to her submission in silence, but they are right into it now, breaking standing orders, as the conservatives do so frequently because they simply do not want to give a fair and even go, not even in this chamber. 'Born to rule' is a dangerous feeling to have in your ranks. The coalition have it. It is infesting them badly, and they are hurting and do not know why. The reason is pretty simple: they are in opposition—because the people put them in opposition.

We in this corner of the Senate have enormous respect for the position of Commonwealth Ombudsman, and that includes Mr Asher, who recently resigned from that position. The story is well known. He approached Senator Sarah Hanson-Young to ask some questions about immigration but not to have his formulating of those questions revealed to a Senate committee. In later papers, Senator Hanson-Young asked some questions and, indeed, I put a couple of questions on defence matters, as we routinely do. Every member of this parliament who is worth their salt in a committee has received information from somebody on which they base the questions that evince information.

Senator Cash interjecting—

Senator Cash, you really do not do yourself much good.