Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

This motion seeks to provide the opportunity for the carbon and mining taxes repeal bills to be put to a vote this week in the Senate. Australians have made their opinion on these taxes overwhelmingly clear at the federal election last September. I think it is incumbent on those opposite to cease to defy the will of the Australian people. I understand those opposite are obviously keen to postpone a vote on these two packages of bills until after the Western Australian Senate election. I think it is important to note that these bills, in particular the carbon tax package, commenced debate in early December 2013—that is, last year. It is high time that these bills came to a vote and supporting this motion would provide the opportunity for these two sets of bills, upon which the Australian people have clearly expressed a view, to be voted on.