Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

There will probably be a few Bexes in the morning!

This is a government that is attacking itself in its own party room. The former Prime Minister got up and, with his tongue firmly in his cheek, extolled the virtues of Mr Turnbull's communication skills. Mr Turnbull did not make it two months barracking for a GST, and Mr Abbott was openly laughing in his face in the party room. He was mocking him in the party room. The former Prime Minister was mocking the current Prime Minister in the party room. That is what it has descended to. That is why you, those opposite, are in here right now trying to pretend that this is an urgent bill. You all know that you are going to a double-D in July.

I will repeat again in my last few moments speaking that you can prove me wrong. The first words out of the mouths of Senator Fifield or Senator Cormann can be, 'Senator Conroy, you couldn't be more wrong. We're not going to a double-D. We're going to serve our full term.' But you are not going to say that. So do not stand up next and try to pretend that you care about disability. Do not stand up and claim that a trade bill is urgent because you do not have the courage to govern to the end of your term.

You have mugged those in that corner. You have absolutely taken them for gooses, and their gooses will be cooked. You will be okay, Senator Ludlam. We know you are the most popular politician in Western Australia. It is Senator Siewert I am a bit worried about. I am. I want to see Senator Siewert back here. I want to see her come back here.

Senator Sterle interjecting—

No, we should be fair and think of the alternatives! You, the government, have mugged the Greens. All you have to do is stand up next and say, 'There'll be no double-D. Senator Conroy's wrong. This is urgent because we do want— (Time expired)