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

I do not know why you ask these questions, Senator Gallagher, because they are so preposterous. Let us get this straight, through you, Mr President: Senator Gallagher, you chastise a government for having a discussion about an expert report. That is regarded by the Australian Labor Party as a gotcha moment, is it? The government is having a long and detailed and thorough discussion, engaging all the lively and intelligent minds of the coalition, to discuss an expert report, led by a minister, Mr Josh Frydenberg, who is better informed about this area of policy than virtually anyone else in this parliament with the possible exception of the Prime Minister. That is what we did. That is the way the coalition makes policy: we understand the issues, we seek expert advice, we have a thorough discussion, we decide what the right policy choices are and then, having informed ourselves and having had a thorough discussion, we deliver the right outcomes for the Australian people.