George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Ludlam, my job is to progress this legislation through the chamber. That is what I am seeking to do in the face of your opposition. You and Senator Xenophon have asked me many questions about the bill, which I have responded to in detail and often. You are now proposing a course of variation of the Senate's procedure over which I have no power, so we are bogging down debate on an important piece of legislation with a quibble about procedural matters. What I am imploring you to do is to get on with the debate.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: The advice that I am given is that that report, as we have heard in the Senate, is due to be tabled in a few hours. I do not have the authority to ask that that report be tabled early. I understand that would have to be a decision of the whole Senate to table that report early.