Andrew Murray (WA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

I want to make it clear that I support the motion. Mr President, I support you going to Tasmania. I believe you represent me and the Senate when you go there to celebrate what is a very worthy occasion. I do not support the criticism of you—in fact, quite the reverse: I want to give you my full support. The other point I would make is that considerations of government business are an entirely different matter and should not be confused with this motion. If we want to debate sitting tomorrow there is a later motion or another opportunity to do that. On that second point, I make the point that I fully support sitting tomorrow to get through the business.

My party and I have cooperated fully in trying to make sure that this week and tomorrow work effectively, despite the fact that we are under considerable pressure. You would appreciate that when we have 40 pages of IR amendments landed on us just two or three days before it is to be debated, it does create pressure. But that is the nature of this place. I do not think in these debates we should confuse the President’s conduct in his official capacity with the nature, timing and manner in which government business is dealt with. Mr President, I wish you well and I hope you will conduct yourself there on my behalf in your normal way.