David Feeney (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I understand, and thank you. Perhaps I will refer to it as the Leader of the Opposition’s three-step. The Leader of the Opposition’s three-step has become a methodology for how those opposite approach every single issue of substance in this parliament. It does not matter whether it is the global stimulus package, it does not matter if it is increases for pensioners, it does not matter if it is the IR debate and it does not matter if it is this—that is to say, if it is a bill that is bringing new shape and new substance to Commonwealth-state relations. It does not matter what the public policy challenge is as the methodology of the Leader of the Opposition remains unchanged. In fact, the only consistent thing about an inconsistent opposition is the Leader of the Opposition’s three-step. On day 1, under phase 1, we had the opposition announce itself as offering bipartisan support for Labor initiatives and there was a brief flash of statesmanlike conduct on the other side, which from time to time does have members of the media enraptured. But, unfortunately, phase 2 of the Leader of the Opposition’s three-step is doubt; it is about casting doubt. I guess, when we see Senator Coonan saying things like ‘let’s see how it all goes’ and ‘we’ll be watching and monitoring’ in respect of bills of this substance, we do see those opposite establishing yet again the out-clause so that they can address themselves to issues of importance later, because they have been unable to do it today.

Finally, phase 3 of the Leader of the Opposition’s three-step is of course— (Time expired)