Annette Ellis (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I thank you very much for your indulgence and I take note of the colleague opposite mentioning that the minister is not here. I just want to make the point, without labouring it too much, that in this particular part of the debate on appropriations it is most appropriate for members of the opposition to be able to not only debate them but ask questions of the minister and then respond to those answers. It is very difficult to do that when the minister is not here. We respect the fact that he is not here, but it does not help open debate, which is what we have just had with the previous minister.

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