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

Without accepting any of the rhetorical flourish, Senator Hanson-Young, there is a reason and it is a very simple reason. It is really a point I ought to have made in relation to your earlier amendments, as well, because it applies to all of your amendments. The regional processing centres are run by the regional processing countries. The Australian Parliament cannot make laws for the Republic of Nauru and the Australian Parliament cannot make laws for Papua New Guinea. We cannot legislate for what goes on in another country.