Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'll respond to that interjection. I did put you on notice that it's a special this week at Ronald McDonald's—two for one: if you try and silence me, I'll silence you twice, and we'll go until there are no motions debated on the floor of this Senate, if that's what you choose to do. There is absolutely no blink in me. This has been going on over a period of time, where we've tried to put significant, important issues to the floor—

An honourable senator interjecting—

I'll tell you what: there's a hell of a lot of noise coming out of them now. There wasn't much noise when we were talking about rape and sexual assault on members of their political party. Their heads were down. They were absolutely silent at that time because they condone it. Denial of formality here suggests to me that they are not against the idea of radicalisation of young Muslims affecting the national security of this country. There is no other conclusion to be drawn. You should go back to being silent. That's when you make your best contribution.

The fact of the matter is that these are significantly important issues, and it goes all the way back to the first denial of formality that started this race to the bottom, which has been going on for couple of months. It started this race to the bottom and stopped people having a voice in one of the most important chambers in the country. What we say here and how we attach ourselves to a question and whether we support or don't support a particular issue is significant. Australia watches us. They do watch. I'm surprised at how many people don't have a hobby and spend their afternoon watching question time and now general notices of motion.

I'm happy, at any given time, as soon as I see a white flag anywhere—a hanky will do—to allow every motion to go to this floor to challenge each of us to determine how we will vote and support it. To deny people the ability to put serious motions about national security, about late-term abortions—

An honourable senator interjecting—

I was not. What do you think I am?

Senator Di Natale interjecting—

There we are. Give me more! It just inspires me. It keeps me going. I live on it. It is the fuel in my tank to hear you people. It's the fuel in my tank, because I will tell you what: it brings up the bile in my throat that you would deny this chamber the opportunity to criticise sexual aggression, complaints of rape that were not dealt with by each and every one of you, if the media reports are correct. This is about freedom of speech. This race to the bottom will continue. I'm happy to make a very significant contribution until we're allowed to debate questions of importance to our nation.