Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think there is a sensible discussion to be had at the appropriate time between the government and the opposition to see what the appropriate next step might be for this parliament. I think it's a workplace entitlement issue and I think it's a broader discussion that should be had. We are, as a government, prepared to have that discussion.

So I table the letter that on 18 October I wrote to the Privileges Committee and, for the reasons I've detailed today, the government is not going to support the motion that's before the House, because I believe that the letter that I wrote, the letter that has been written by the shadow Attorney-General and the broader issue that, as I point out, is here before us to deal with makes redundant the motion that's been moved by the member for Watson. It's on that basis that the government will be opposing it.

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