Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition is opposed to this resolution after not just weeks but months of talking about a speech that had been given six months earlier and there being no legislation before the parliament. Now, the moment any legislation appears they are anxious to make sure that debate is shut down, and shut down immediately. The irony of all the comments about freedom of speech when one sees the way the Leader of the House actually manages the parliament is extraordinary. Given the outcome and what that will mean for later debate, I will also add that the reference the Leader of the House made to there not being a very large number of people who had listed themselves to speak is actually evidence as to why the gag was not appropriate and was not required in any way, shape or form. It is not necessary, should not occur but has become part of how the House is managed under this government.

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