Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

This was all foreseeable and all preventable, but those opposite stood in the way. Listening to the Greens contribution just now, I can't help but be astounded by the most unprincipled position being taken but cloaked in some sort of pretence of principle by the Australian Greens. Where is their stance and their commitment to standing up for all those who have been abused by the CFMEU—to the sexism, misogyny, lawlessness and corruption? How is it that the Greens can come here and continue to pretend that?

We are also intent on holding the government to account. This cannot be a pretend administration. This must be one with teeth, and that is why we've been taking the days to work through negotiations with the government to ensure it is an administration of teeth with teeth that will properly clean up the CFMEU.