George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Well, Senator Sinodinos, as you well know, none of this would have been possible without the cooperation of the Senate. I am pleased to say that in recent times the Senate has shown a more cooperative attitude towards the government than was the case, perhaps, last year. We understand that it is the opposition's role to oppose, but it is the opposition's role to oppose constructively. I do want to acknowledge and thank the opposition for its support on the renewable energy target legislation and its support on the diesel fuel rebate indexation legislation, just as I acknowledge the support of the Greens in passing the pension reforms which were passed through the Senate last week. The Australian people generally like the idea of a balance of power in our constitution, but they do expect the Senate to be constructive, and in this fortnight it has been.