Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

That is the truth. Then the chair—

Senator Conroy interjecting—

I will take that interjection from Senator Conroy. Later on page 94:

CHAIR: I require you to apologise, Senator Conroy.

Senator CONROY: You can require anything you want. General, can you please provide a copy—

CHAIR: Senator Conroy, I am ruling that if you do not apologise I will not call you anymore.

Senator CONROY: Well, we will see on the floor of the Senate.

And that is an apology! What duplicity, what hypocrisy, what an absolute double standard by this man who would be the defence minister if this motley crew opposite were ever to be elected.

Mr President, this is a motion to take note by the most failed finance minister in Australian history, a minister who went to the last election saying that there was an $18 billion deficit in the budget, and when the budget papers were checked, it was not an $18 billion deficit, it was a $48 billion deficit. Just a mere mistake of $30 billion, and she has the audacity to come in here and say that we need to take note of a circumstance where, as we all do from time to time, overstate the case in relation to a matter in a heated debated and then, on mature reflection, withdraw and make the appropriate amends.

Senator Bilyk interjecting—

We have the good Senator Bilyk interjecting. Can I ask Senator Bilyk: where was she when her deputy leader in this place so ruthlessly attacked a man in uniform at Senate estimates? Nowhere to be heard. It is a classic of when the Labor Party does something—

Honourable senators interjecting—