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

That may be the case.

Senator Bernardi interjecting—

Helpful as always, Senator Bernardi said, 'We were ethical guillotiners.' Maybe there is a line there about Madam Defarge but I won't go there. I am not sure there is such a thing as an ethical guillotine. I cannot imagine Senator Bernardi knitting while the guillotine is being applied.

What has occurred in the last week is completely unsatisfactory. We need to do better as a chamber. We owe it to the people of Australia. I will be putting a reference to the Procedure Committee, but before I do that I will consult with my colleagues from all sides so that we get this right. Let us not repeat the debacle of the last week. I look forward to debating some legislation this morning and asking a series of questions about competition and consumer law.