Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Shoebridge, I could answer the question simply by referring you to my previous answer, but I might take the opportunity to repeat the point that, the way the Senate operates, no party has a majority to pass its legislation. I think it's well understood that, for our government, the options are to come to an agreement with the opposition on a matter or to come to an agreement with the Greens on the matter. As we have repeatedly seen, not just this year but in this entire parliamentary term, the Greens political party has no intention whatsoever of supporting Labor legislation, because that would involve cooperating, that would involve compromise and that would involve actually achieving something rather than blocking something.

We understand that you have thought that it's to your political advantage to block Labor. It would appear that parts of your party are starting to understand that maybe that's not such a politically successful strategy, but I know, Senator Shoebridge, that you'll never be in the camp of compromise to achieve reform. You will always be in the camp of destructive opposition. (Time expired)