Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

I refer the minister to his statement on ABC News 24 last night on the government's decision to abstain from the vote on Palestine's bid for UN observer status—namely, 'I was, with abstention, willing to be persuaded to vote yes.' Minister, did you threaten to vote against the Prime Minister in caucus on this issue? Aren't your honeyed words about the Prime Minister shaping the final decision on this issue simply designed to paper over her humiliation?