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

It has been my sorry experience that, when Senator Hanson-Young asserts that a particular senator has said something, quite often there is the odd word missing and, as a result, the context is completely misrepresented. I am not sure of the exact commentary by Senator Bernardi. I am happy to have a look at it and come back to the chamber in relation to any comments that my good friend Senator Bernardi might have made. We as a government understand that there is a humanitarian crisis that does need to be addressed. That is why, as we speak, Minister Dutton is in Europe engaged in discussions to see what role Australia can play.

I say to those who would seek to get cheap headlines—people have plucked the figure of 10,000 out of the air. It makes a great headline. But why 10,000 rather than 9,000 or 11,000? There is no rhyme or reason; it was just a nice round figure to get a headline. These matters are best dealt with step by step, methodically, purposefully and, if we can, in lock step with the world community to achieve a result that is compassionate, keeping in mind that true compassion is a blend of kindness and judgement. That is what we need to bring to bear in these debates: sound judgements with kindness. That is what we as a government seek to bring to this issue. (Time expired)