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

Senator Gallacher, I think I am known as somebody who is very, very careful in my use of language, unlike the shadow Attorney-General, who is very careless and reckless in his use of language. But I cannot miss the opportunity to dwell on the delightfulness of Mr Dreyfus's definition of consultation. Let me quote it to you again: 'You cannot consult with someone if you have not told them what you are going to do.'

Well, Senator Gallacher, the shadow Attorney said, 'You cannot consult with someone if you have not told them what you are going to do.' Mr Dreyfus thinks that consultation means making up your mind first and talking later—and telling someone what you are going to do. But when I consult people I ask them for their views, as I did with Mr Gooda and as I did with Mr Gleeson.