Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

This is a very cheap attack on the government by the opposition. It clearly is an inconvenience to honourable senators if they have not received the explanatory memorandum, but what the government does in these circumstances—as everybody knows—is to provide them to the Table Office. I am advised that the Table Office circulated the explanatory memorandum over 24 hours ago. So, if honourable senators somehow did not get them, then, with great respect, that is a matter of regret and I accept that. But to try to visit that on the government is inappropriate. Clearly something has fallen down in the system, but, on this occasion, I feel somewhat confident that it was not in fact the government’s fault. Having said that, it clearly is a matter of regret that that which was provided over 24 hours ago has not found its way through to circulation.