Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

We heard you in silence about an important issue. This is an important issue, and coming in without any notice and seeking a political stunt with a suspension motion about something that is as important and as sensitive as this sends a pretty clear signal about what this is about. This is about trying to create a political point against the government.

Opposition members interjecting—

That's the opposition's right—that is how this building works—but let's not be too holier-than-thou about this if you want a genuine debate about child sex abuse. There is no person in this parliament who is not committed to fighting this.

The Leader of the Nationals, to his credit, talked about the importance of practical action. I'm not quite sure how you square that with yet another inquiry. I'll tell you a bit about practical action. In the May budget the Minister for Social Services committed more than $500 million to practical action to fight the abuse of women and children, including more than $250 million particularly directed at the abuse of women and children in First Nations communities. That is practical action.

Honourable members interjecting—

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