Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to say a few words about Senator Patrick's amendment before we vote.

The TEMPORARY CHAIR: You may.

I just want to acknowledge that Senator Patrick, who I am sure has the best of intentions, moves this amendment at every national security bill. Every time he moves it, we make clear once again our view that it is not an appropriate mechanism by which to deal with his question. I note again, for the record, that Senator McAllister has a private senator's bill before the parliament that deals with these very questions. Labor would prefer to take a holistic and systemic approach to this question and not deal with it in a piecemeal fashion as we see that Senator Patrick's amendment does. In the interests of time, and my desire to see this bill pass this chamber this week, I just wanted to put on the record our view on this amendment.