Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I'll take that interjection. This is an extremely important matter, Senator Carr. We're talking about supposedly the biggest trade and investment deal in this country's history. Just because you don't want the detailed answers to questions that we do! I won't let myself be distracted by that.

Minister, speaking about hypotheticals, I haven't asked you if the US is going to rejoin. I haven't asked you if they are going to change their 22 suspended clauses. They would be hypothetical questions. I have actually asked you what the process is if they do. That is not a hypothetical question. It is an absolutely critical question. I have asked you about the status of these clauses as they are now. Perhaps I will phrase it a different way, Minister. Why are there 22 suspended clauses in this legislation that relate to the US? Why do we have suspended clauses? Why haven't they been removed?