Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, we did, because it doesn't allow for a genuine, proper inquiry. That was the position we took then. Remember, we put to you that we would like an extra fortnight so that the inquiry was not conducted during Christmas and new year, and you rejected it. I think you're trying to be a bit clever and cute here after a week of deadlock. If the government is serious about this—I don't have instructions on it—I would seek a bit of time. I think we need to consult with others. Considering how this issue has been progressed and the level of interest in this referral, I don't think that, without proper instructions and the ability to consider this, we can deal with this matter right now. I would ask that we come back to it at some point through the formal business or just before we start motions.