Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator O’Brien. I had not been aware of your amendment—and I will not be supporting it. I have had an assurance from those who are in control of this that something will be done after the three-month period of consultation. I want to place on record my acceptance of that assurance and indicate that I will ensure that the assurance is committed—and I have no doubt that it will be. People on our side do not give assurances without intending to have them met. But it is something that must be addressed, because we cannot allow this to automatically revert to the AWB at the conclusion of the sunset clause. I commend the bill to the Senate.