Senate debates

Wednesday, 24 November 2021

Questions without Notice

Violence

2:06 pm

Photo of Simon BirminghamSimon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I'm always happy to engage in discussions with those around the chamber in relation to matters that are progressed in good faith. I'm always happy to ensure that we can, where necessary, come together to make unifying statements on behalf of the parliament and the nation. It's important that we do that. I don't much like process that engages in stunts.

I do think it is also important, in doing so, that we work cooperatively in relation to the text of such matters. That has been the case on many, many occasions in relation to statements that are sought to be pursued in a bipartisan context. Of course, I would respond constructively if we wanted to work through that process. I think that whilst celebrating Australia's enormous achievements in relation to COVID, we need to acknowledge there have been debates around policy responses to COVID. It's legitimate to debate policy responses but never to do so in a violent way. (Time expired)

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