Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

The two members who voted against the bill have been asked to determine the distribution of this funding. The government will provide $10 million to the Australian Local Government Association for the yes campaign. That is the way that we will proceed with this referendum.

What we are seeing now is a rearguard action from the rump who are opposed to recognition for local government in our Constitution. That is what this is all about. That is why those opposite are here. That is why they are running down to the chamber, whispering little secrets about how they are going to surprise us when they arrive here, jumping out of the box and saying, 'We want to suspend the Senate, up-end the Senate.' They then want to have a debate about the suspension, not about the substantive issues.

Senator Abetz interjecting—

Of course, Senator Abetz is the lead proponent of the stunts in this place. He has decided he will be the one to run down with his loyal servant, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate—just like Dick Dastardly and his companion, Muttley—to argue a particular case. This is not a debate that should be held now. It is a debate that can be dealt with properly and appropriately when the bill comes on. The bill is on the Notice Paper, but instead we are going to have to have this suspension debate. And we will vote against it, because not only is the motion substantively inaccurate but also the Senate has important work to deal with this week and we should not be wasting our time on stunts. (Time expired)