Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

There do seem to be threats, because I am not sure those opposite understand the urgency of the need to act. It was those opposite who decided that they needed to send this bill off to a committee which has not yet reported, which is why the Senate cannot legislate yet. In fact, in sending it to a committee, those opposite originally wanted it to report on 18 February 2016—signed, Senator Anne Urquhart. That was what the Labor Party wanted. So reforms we want to implement on 1 January next year would not have been possible if it were not for the fact that this government made sure the committee reports earlier so that we can get on with legislating next week. I hope and trust that those opposite will work cooperatively next week to get this legislation passed so we can stop the rorting, stop the shonks and stop the fraudsters that those opposite let in in the first place. (Time expired)

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

Senator Birmingham interjecting—