Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Again, I ask senators to reflect on the fact that, when this debate started this morning, in a committee room only 50 metres away those who were interested were receiving evidence from department officials as to exactly how they are conducting their response into both the varroa mite outbreak in New South Wales, which is very serious, and the measures put in place to reduce the risk of a potentially very serious foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. I'd also like senators to reflect on the fact that I understand that it's important to put pressure on the government, to needle them, to make sure there's transparency, so they know they're being watched closely in acting to do everything they possibly can. That's a critical part of politics, but it's sounding to me in this chamber this morning, when we've had debate ranging from marijuana psychosis, through to mad Mal's vaccine denial and a whole range of other—