Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

STON (—) (): There have been a number of assertions and comments made in this place in relation to the pairing arrangements, particularly in relation to the pairing arrangements of two government senators. I want to absolutely assure the Senate that the pairing arrangements that have been reflected in the votes of the last few days are absolutely consistent with the wishes of those senators, and, in the interests of transparency, I would like to read into the record the positions of those two senators.

Senator Alex Antic has written to the whips, and he has sought to be paired with the government on all non-legislative votes conducted in the Senate chamber. I also refer to correspondence that's been received by Senator Gerard Rennick. He has also sought to be paired with the government on all non-legislative votes. To be very clear: this is absolutely consistent with the position that has been taken; it is reflected in the whips' arrangements of the previous two days and will be reflected in the whips' positions in coming days. I just want to be very clear that we are absolutely consistent with the position of those two senators and have been so during the time that they have been seeking those pairs.