Lisa Singh (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Hansard source

I do note that Senator Ludlam earlier did seek a ruling from the chair—

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: That is correct.

in relation to the specifics of asking questions while we are debating this amendment.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Certainly, and, if I may interrupt you, I will just mention to everyone that we do have a long list of amendments, and it would be good to see us return to a little bit more discipline and order on your amendments. So, Senator Singh, could you continue on that.

Thank you, Chair, but I would just like to clarify that it is not a long list of amendments; there are about six amendments on the list.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Thank you. I stand corrected.

Minister, in light of the government not supporting the opposition's amendment for an emissions trading scheme—an amendment that has the full support of economists and scientists in Australia, including former Liberal leader Dr John Hewson—I will ask: in your support for the bill as it currently stands, not including an emissions trading scheme, how far have you consulted with business communities in relation to this bill? Also, firstly, did you consult when you gave your full support on the first amendment? Did you consult when you gave your full support on the second amendment? And did you consult before you gave your full support on the third amendment? We know from Minister Hunt that you gave your full support, and then, of course, spent the weekend trying to tidy it up. So how extensively did you consult before you accepted the PUP amendments and afterwards?