Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Mackellar, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Seniors) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support the motion to suspend standing and sessional orders, moved by the member for Denison, who of his own volition has thought this matter through in the light of what has transpired and decided that this is the best course of action to take. Obviously, opposition members support this motion, as it was originally moved by the member for Cook. The member for Denison has moved this motion because the government, which has been complaining about no action, has declined leave for the bill to be debated. I have just listened to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship speak, and he said, 'This is a time for action, not talking.' Yet the very proposal that he is putting forth is for more talking and not action.

The Migration Legislation Amendment (Offshore Processing, Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2012 has been brought forward on the initiative of the member for Denison, who, obviously, has given a lot of thought to it, because he voted in a different way previously. He has decided that at this hour of the morning it is still important and that, while this parliament is still sitting, even though it is 10 to four in the morning, the parliament is capable of ensuring that we can have an offshore processing system which will act as a deterrent, because it will impose the need for the country where the offshore processing is to take place to be a signatory to the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. There are 148 countries that can be thought of. However, the point is this: when we utilised Nauru previously—

Mr Bowen interjecting—

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