Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

I could not let Senator Ludlam's reference to the gender issue go by without some comment. We do have one other female senator participating to some extent in this debate. It would be remiss of me not to highlight that the two Labor participants on the joint committee vacated their positions so that the relevant frontbenchers could ensure that Labor applied diligent consideration to this bill. Those committee members were Senator Wong and Ms Plibersek.

From my observations of the debate today I am really quite confused about what Senator Ludlam thinks might be the gender issues that are relevant. I would also have to disagree significantly with his characterisation of the committee's considerations. The recommendations, and the 74 consequent amendments that the government has accepted, highlight the detailed consideration and the good work done by this committee.