Rex Patrick (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

Without prejudice to any position I may have on the bill that's been tabled in the House, I think it is proper that a significant piece of legislation should be referred to a committee. That does a number of things. It allows people to properly consider it, but it also allows us to engage the community. That includes businesses and environmentalists, and it includes people who are interested in the topic and may not fit into either of those categories. In my time in this chamber, I've seen committees work really well together to actually come up with, in many cases, better legislation. I think the fact that this is not being referred is a breach of proper process, and I've asked the government to reconsider their position on it. If I understand correctly, they are not supporting a referral. I think that is an unfortunate departure from what is good legislative process.