Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

The first thing is that that senator has not had the opportunity to put his case forward as to why he wanted his bill to be referred—no opportunity to speak to the crossbench and no opportunity to put his case about why he wants to put that bill forward. The only thing I can suggest is that, after you actually agreed last night for a bill to be referred to a committee, somehow, someone from above on the other side has said, 'Actually, we don't like the content of that private senator's bill. We can't possibly have that sent to a committee,' because you're sensitive about the topic that is contained in the bill. All I can say is that the most egregious thing that's happened here is the complete disregard for the process. As I said, it would have been no problem whatsoever if last night you had not wanted to agree with the motion. We would have had the opportunity overnight to settle this the respectful way.

Honourable senators interjecting—