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

I cannot support this motion in the absence of Senator Madigan's amendment being put which essentially calls on all Australian political parties to refuse to accept any donations from any group, whether union or corporation, that commits any act of unlawful activity, thuggery or violence against employees or employers in the workplace. That to me seemed a much more sensible proposition, much less partisan than the opposition's, and on that basis, in the absence of Senator Madigan being able to move what I thought was a very sensible amendment, I cannot support this motion.