Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

On sheet 7882, I would reiterate my contribution previously that it has been demonstrated by the debate thus far that the Greens have no answer to the question as to commencement date. I will not reprise the entirety of my contribution from earlier this morning, where I pointed out that this legislation is what Mr Turnbull wants in order to hold a double dissolution. If he were to win a double dissolution, he can have a joint sitting. He can abolish the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, he can pass the registered organisations bill, and presumably he may well be able to pass other antiworker legislation such as the ABCC.

I asked the Greens earlier, when we moved an amendment that would have prevented a double dissolution being held under this legislation where these voting arrangements apply, why they could not put a later commencement date to avert that possibility—that is, the abolition of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the passage of antiworker legislation?

Senators may recall that the only answer that Senator Rhiannon could give was: the AEC needs time—that is, 'We want them to be able to hold the double dissolution that Mr Turnbull wants,' and also a fair bit of attack on Labor and me as well as words like dysfunction and so forth.

We maintain our deep concern about this. It is a real pity that the Australian Greens did not pass that amendment, because they could have had the voting reforms that they say are so important—but coming in at a time that did not suit the government's timetable. I know that this has been put to them by the labour movement and we also know that this is a matter that members of the Greens, including members in the Greens party room, are concerned about. This is Senator Rhiannon's answer to that problem. But, of course, it is no answer because the application date—and I will come to that—that she is proposing is 1 July, which of course suits the government's agenda because 2 July is the first day they can hold the double dissolution election. She is giving them what they want, but I will not reprise that. The questions I have—

Senator Di Natale interjecting—

Well, I can do it in more than 2½ minutes if you would like, Senate Di Natale!