Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Deputy President. I remember the days when the Greens would spend hours in here berating the Howard government for time-managing just 36 bills in three years.

Senator Cormann interjecting—

We are now up to, I am told—I accept Senator Cormann's interjection—125 bills that the Greens have so far guillotined—36 in this current two-week period. You talk about hypocrisy. I just cannot believe how any Australian would ever believe anything the Greens say, because of their hypocrisy on issues like this. Mind you, while I am at it I might say that I and nearly every Australian cannot believe anything the Labor Party says after 'There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead'—although, in Ms Gillard's favour, I might just say that perhaps she was being honest; perhaps she will not be the leader of the government on 2 July, when the carbon tax comes in. I await with bated breath the end of this week, as the hawks circle around the Prime Minister's office. It is a fascinating week.

But, getting back to this more serious issue, I am just uncertain of what we are being asked to do. I agree—and it is not my position to speak for everyone here, but I know we all agree—that this is an important bill to get through, but I am reluctant to be part of any guillotining of any bill. If it is important—and it is important—I think we should debate all weekend if necessary to have this bill through. I am not sure—