Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition has accurately predicted what I am about to say. Let me first of all, though, deal with some of the comments that have been made on the way through. Firstly, there was the comment about us not allowing debate. The former coalition government, during its time in office, gagged debate 654 times. In this exact sort of motion, the two speeches that have just been heard never would have been heard. Never—not a chance. It would not have happened 654 times. But allow me—

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