Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Hansard source

No, pocket knives. I was really hoping that common sense would prevail and that it would not come down to a vote on the chamber floor. If you read the notice of motion that was passed by the chamber, it was that the committee should consist of 10 senators: four nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and four nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, one nominated by the Leader of the Australian Greens and one nominated by any other minor party—that is, Family First or Independent senators. There is one Independent senator, but I will not go there. The issue here is that the emissions trading scheme, or the system that we are developing, is a big issue—I will not go there. However, there are two inquiries, which have different terms of reference. One inquiry has been referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Economics and Senator Xenophon is already on that committee. I just appeal to people that there is another inquiry with broader terms—that is, the select committee. Maybe this is a good way of doing it—I was hoping that the government would use one of their positions to nominate the senator who does not get voted for the select committee.