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

As this motion involves a matter of conscience—in particular, the exercise of freedom of speech—in line with longstanding practice, government senators are free to vote in accordance with their own conscience. It should be noted that the Commonwealth has intervened in the High Court case of Clubb v Edwards in Victoria because it may consider and determine the extent of the implied right of political communication in Australia.