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

No, not at all. That is absolutely wrong, and I reject that entirely. Might I say, in rejecting what you have put to me, that I nevertheless acknowledge and thank you for your contribution to this debate and what you have had to say about this issue. The reason the government is announcing this measure this year is that it believes it is the right thing to do. If it is the case that governments of both political persuasions, coalition and Labor, should have extended these benefits to survivors sooner, as I said in answer to your earlier question, that may be a fair point. But the important thing is that it has been recognised by this government and it is this government that is doing so now.

Senator Lambie interjecting—