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

The government's position has not changed on this issue. We oppose the motion. The calling into question of a senator's eligibility to sit in this place is a very serious step, and that step should be taken only in cases where there's a clear case to answer. The motion seeks to turn this long-accepted principle on its head, effectively calling into question every senator's position until he or she is able to provide proof. That would constitute a wrongheaded reversal of the onus of proof, especially given the undoubted public interest in certainty as to the composition of parliament. Further, another referral would only add to the existing workloads of Senate committees and the committee secretariats in particular.

Question negatived.