Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

) ( ): I completely reject that question because clearly, if the coalition were supporting the government's approach and supporting our expert panel recommendations, including the Malaysia arrangement, it would have had a far greater impact on boat arrivals. So it is entirely hypocritical and disingenuous of the opposition to stand up in the chamber and criticise the government in relation to boat arrivals when they steadfastly refuse to support the measures that were recommended by the expert working panel. They do this, Mr President, because they put their own political interests ahead of the national interest and, indeed, ahead of the lives of people who are lost at sea as a result of their ridiculously obstructive behaviour on this—