Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The motion that was moved by Senator Brandis, for which leave was denied, seeks to give this chamber the opportunity to deal with legislation that has been extremely well ventilated in this place, in the other place, this side of the election and the other side of the election. This has been very well-ventilated legislation. It was taken to the election. It was one of the triggers for the double dissolution election. It is legislation for which this government has a mandate. What Senator Brandis's motion was seeking to do was to enable this chamber to have the opportunity to sit for as long as it takes to deal with this legislation conclusively, once and for all.

The reason that Senator Brandis sought to move the motion is that we know that those opposite will use each opportunity that they can, procedurally and using the other mechanisms of this place, to delay the inevitable, which is this chamber having the opportunity to address this legislation. Senator Brandis's motion did not seek to curtail the opportunity of colleagues to make contributions. The debate will go for as long as it needs to. The second reading speeches will go for as long as colleagues wish to contribute. The committee stage will go for as long as colleagues wish to ask questions, contribute and move amendments. There is no attempt to curtail the capacity of colleagues to make contributions.

It is unfortunate that leave was denied, but it has been denied. Nevertheless, that gives the opportunity for me and colleagues such as Senator Xenophon to give their views as to why the suspension should be granted to enable Senator Brandis to move his motion. This is a very reasonable approach in the circumstances that we are in here. It is important that this chamber transact the people's business. It is not a case where there is opportunity after opportunity looked for to deny that to happen. The granting of suspension of standing orders will allow Senator Brandis to move that we can get on and debate this important legislation immediately.