Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Banking and Financial Services) Share this | Hansard source

Yes; and I understand, Senator Murray, the constraints in terms of drafting a particular amendment. But it is a blunt approach to omit schedule 4, because it contains matters that are not contentious and that actually improve the collection of tax revenue, as opposed to contentious issues that are for consideration in this debate.

Let me come to Senator Joyce’s remarks. I remind the chamber and those listening to this debate that Senator Joyce is a member of the National Party. He is a member of the Liberal-National government, and it is their legislation that we are considering. Senator Joyce launched into a fierce critique—an incorrect critique, in my view—of the Labor Party’s position on this legislation. But he did not criticise the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, and he did not criticise the Treasurer, Mr Costello, or indeed the finance minister, Senator Minchin.