Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I think it is clear that Senator Abetz is long opposed to issues of retrospectivity, and I do not want to spend too much time on this. I would have been quite happy for the opposition to have moved this amendment. I think it was just the order of the running sheet. I think it is good that there is some widespread support for this amendment. I respect the opposition’s position. They oppose the bill in its entirety but they did have a particular concern about retrospectivity. At the end of the day, we all want to do the right thing in relation to this particular issue. I also acknowledge Senator Milne’s remarks, but I think it just so happens that my amendment was brought up before Senator Abetz’s, and I would have been quite relaxed and comfortable if his was brought up before mine.