Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

No, I'm sorry; it is not silly at all. It is silly because this is without precedent. We are talking about dealing with retail outlets. In any event, this is very poor legislation. It is a very serious matter, but I would still like to acknowledge, despite my reticence, the goodwill in terms of the motivation.

I have been very annoyed by this process, as the senators will probably imagine, but I know that nobody has been motivated by ill will. I think that it has been a complete waste of time. We could have worked together on this as we have done in the past. Instead, we are somehow saying that the Greens have had a victory. Sadly, this is second-class legislation for our First Australians and I do not think that the provision of second-class legislation for our First Australians is acceptable. We will not be supporting this legislation.

The CHAIRMAN: Order! The time allotted for the remaining stages of the bill has expired. The question now is that government amendments (1), (5) and (6), (9), (11) and (12), (14) to (17) and (19) to (23) on sheet CA238 be agreed to.

The Senate divided. [20:19]

(The Chairman—Senator Parry)

Question agreed to.