Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was on my feet seeking leave to make a statement before Senator Wong jumped up and moved on to a different topic, so I would seek leave now to make a statement.

Leave granted.

Well, what an absolute disgrace, both sides here. We've had debate all morning over how this particular bill that was rammed through the House could be managed, and now we see collusion between the Labor Party and the Liberal Party, cuddling up to ram through amendments that this Senate still hasn't even seen. It hasn't even seen those amendments. When Senator Birmingham and Senator Wong want to come in here and pretend that there is a working relationship—you've left out a big chunk of this chamber. The crossbench has not seen these amendments. The crossbench has not been briefed on them. But what we do know is that this government and the opposition are going to do everything they can to circumvent the High Court and reinstate mandatory minimum sentences, which we know are terrible, which we know are out of order when it comes to the rule of law and which we know are antidemocratic. And now here we see this government wants to work with the opposition—

Andrew McLachlan (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson-Young, please, there's a point of order.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to ram through this bill without notice.

The Deputy:

Point of order, Senator Wong?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is really taking advantage of leave being given.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You haven't come and spoken to us.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's fine, but there's a committee stage. Both of us held—

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We don't know that.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can I finish? This is really taking advantage of the chamber. The short statement has been given—

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I sought leave and it was given.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Not for that—we grant leave for one more minute.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know it is inconvenient for the government that there are other voices in this place, but we exist. We exist and we are part of this process. It always suits you, doesn't it, when you get to cuddle up with the opposition, with Peter Dutton holding the whip here. Peter Dutton is the one who is whipping this government into the exact path he wants. This is all under the whip of Peter Dutton, the leader of the nasty party.

Andrew McLachlan (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Birmingham, were you seeking the call?

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

Deputy President, I was looking to you to refer the senator to refer to members by an appropriate title or term. I would also note that an imputation has now been made against Mr Dutton, and that should be withdrawn.

Andrew McLachlan (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask you to withdraw any imputation that you made, Senator Hanson-Young, for the benefit of the chamber.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.