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

I can inform the Senate that there has been support for this particular deal. In today's media we see that the select committee has received the overwhelming support of senior Rebels bikie gang member 'Little Mick' Kosenko. According to the Gold Coast criminal lawyer Campbell MacCallum, who has acted for the Black Uhlan bikie Liborio Di Vita and Bandido Josh Downey, the inquiry is 'absolutely needed'. So the establishment of this select committee has the support of the Rebels, the Black Uhlans, the Bandidos, Senator Larissa Waters of the Greens and Senator Stephen Conroy of the Australian Labor Party.

As a final thought, I would urge senators to reflect on the admission of the major proponent of this select committee:

There may be nothing to come forward about in Queensland, who knows.

I think that would be a terrible waste of money based on a breach of principles— (Time expired)