David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

First of all I would like to thank the Senate for providing the Senate with the opportunity to consider this bill. It is a bill that really does need to be considered by the Senate this week, before the Senate rises

I thank those who supported the Senate decision to allow that to occur, particularly in a week where the Labor Party have conspired with the Greens to minimise the opportunity that the senators have had to consider government business this week before we go away. There are a number of other bills which were also time dependent and which the Senate has not had the opportunity to consider because of the games that have been played in this place this week.

On behalf of the government, I can indicate that if this bill is not likely to be finalised by 11 pm tonight, the government will move to suspend the Senate until 9 am tomorrow.