Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I can understand that Senator Moore did not hear my answer, because of the bellowing of Senator Kim Carr. But what I did say to the Senate very clearly was that the budget had gone through the normal processes that budgets always go through. That is my answer to that particular part of the question.

Having said that, can I remind those opposite that we actually do allow freedom on our side of the parliament. People can express a point of view without the fear of expulsion, which is one of the great faults of the Australian Labor Party. They claim to represent and embrace diversity, but never diversity of views within the caucus—because, if there is, you will be expelled. It is not so on this side. Having said that, the government is committed to the debt levy bill and we are pleased that it looks as though it will go through—(Time expired)