Sam Dastyari (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I note the time and I will try to be as brief as possible. I want to begin, Senator Lambie, on congratulating you on the passionate speech you just made and the matters which you raise. I think it is fair to say that Senator Lambie's presence in this chamber has brought a strengthening of a debate that has been had for a long time, particularly in relation to veterans and veterans' issues. The passion and genuine nature with which Senator Lambie speaks, I think, is of significance.

I am not going to dignify the attack on my character from Senator Bernardi this evening. He got up and simply rehashed media articles. Everything he said tonight has been either debunked or was addressed in some detail last year. There was nothing new in anything Senator Bernardi said this evening. Frankly, the gall coming from someone whose entire presence in this chamber is built on the fake pretence of running at No. 1 for a political party for a six-year term he soon discarded, I think, says as much about his credibility as his infamous comments in the past linking things like homosexuality to bestiality. I do not believe that he warrants or needs a response. Frankly, nothing he said tonight has not either been fully addressed or debunked.

I am going to speak very briefly about something I do believe is important, and that is the issue of terrorism—in particular, my experiences in London a little over a week ago. Mr President, there are moments in your life that change you. There are moments in your life which at the time you may have perhaps not recognised as being of great significance, and you look back and you realise how significant they are to who you are, what you believe and what you think of the people around you and your family.

On 3 June I was in London on my own wicket to participate in the British elections. I note Senator McGrath is also a fan of British politics. He understands that for some of us—this is probably a sad reflection on us—our idea of a holiday is to go and work on an overseas campaign.