Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the Senate. Mr President, the coalition accepts your ruling and understands the manner in which you have approached this. I might say it is fair and reasonable. I simply remind people listening in that those that complain about canvassing these issues should remind themselves that they issued media releases about this issue: for example, commenting that certain issues 'highlights the opposition's highly compromised position as accusers' or, on another occasion, 'We have absolutely nothing to fear from this fairly sleazy move'—statements in the media by the Australian Greens. When they want to attack the accusers, they do so publicly. Yet again it seems as though there is one law for the Greens and another law for everybody else.

I also briefly remind honourable senators of the occasion when I was referred to the Privileges Committee on a certain matter. Might I say they kindly, and unanimously, found that I had acted in good faith at all times and the matter was dismissed. But, whilst that matter was before the Privileges Committee, I am sure all honourable senators will recall that other senators took it upon themselves to do media, constantly referring to the fact that I was before the Privileges Committee—

Government senators interjecting—

There are interjections from those opposite. Mr President, in this game every now and then these things occur, but what is astounding in this matter is—including the point of order that was raised previously by Senator Bob Brown—and I simply say to the Australian Greens, that those that live in glass houses should not throw stones. Were the Greens stopped from talking about me when I was before the Privileges Committee? No. But should others be stopped when they are before the Privileges Committee? Yes, and that is the double standard.