James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I do not know how I can follow on from such a fantastic effort. I have 19 minutes and 53 seconds. Not only is it about 20 to one in the Senate, but for those listening at home—and I want them to visualise this—what is surprising and very interesting about tonight is that there are a lot of senators in this chamber. Normally, when you speak late at night when you have the open-ended adjournment, there will be just a couple of senators in the chamber. One or two may have wandered in by accident. But tonight there is a huge crowd of senators in the chamber.

With your indulgence, Mr President, I would like to pay tribute while I can to Senator Back—and it is not just because he gave me his microwave, which I am very grateful for. I got the microwave, so I am very happy about that. Senator Back, you will be missed. Your wit and your wisdom will be missed.

But I am here tonight to talk about the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Broadcasting Reform) Bill 2017.