Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O’Brien was very keen to make a comprehensive contribution on this bill and in normal circumstances he would be the first speaker for the opposition. But, given that there are only moments to go before this debate ends, I thought I might take the opportunity to make a few brief but concise and valuable remarks about this legislation—and I notice that the crowd on the government side of the chamber is building in anticipation of the remarks that I am about to make! The Farm Household Support Amendment Bill 2007, as I understand it, amends the Farm Household Support Act 1992, the Social Security Act 1991 and the Age Discrimination Act 2004 to allow agriculturally dependent small businesses—

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Carr interjecting—

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Carr, would you withdraw that remark.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Which one?

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask you to withdraw those remarks you have just made.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Which remarks have I made?

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Carr, I am on my feet. Resume your seat. You are making unparliamentary remarks to the minister across the table, I ask you to withdraw those remarks.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw any remarks you have asked me to withdraw, but that man is a complete fraud.

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I ask you to withdraw unconditionally those remarks.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I unconditionally withdraw any remarks.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I did not know that my speech on this bill was going to be so controversial; nonetheless, it has been. In the 30 seconds remaining—

Ian Campbell (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ian Campbell interjecting—

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Campbell.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is really interrupting the flow of my contribution to this debate! Given the lateness of the hour, I might conclude my remarks there.

Debate interrupted.