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

It does not matter how much Senator Brandis puffs himself up and tries to pretend he is a constitutional lawyer, the reality is he is saying, 'It's not fair we lost the last election and can we please be given government?' Well, Senator Brandis, I have got some bad news for you. This government has been successful, despite being in a minority in the House of Representatives, at passing legislation and governing. What today's leadership ballot showed is the Prime Minister had very, very strong support inside the Labor Party caucus room. It was a very strong result that the Prime Minister received in the caucus meeting.

What we do know is that this government has been able to govern successfully and pass major legislation through the parliament despite not having a majority in its own right on the floor of the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister continues to have the complete confidence not only of the Labor Party caucus but also of the Independents and the Greens on the floor of the House of Representatives. Senator Brandis well knows that that situation continues—that the government is able to command a majority on the floor of the parliament and is a legitimate government.

We will continue to run our reform agenda, continue to govern in the interests of all Australians and continue to take on the tough issues that the Liberal-National Party coalition wants to duck—tough issues like putting a price on carbon; tough issues like ensuring the mining boom's proceeds are distributed across the Australian public and that we all benefit from that boom. We will continue to focus on those issues and we will continue to deliver strong and effective government for the Australian people. Quite frankly, Senator Brandis's question reflects the Liberal Party desperation. (Time expired)