Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I think as some colleagues have already indicated, originally, under the hours motion that was considered by the Senate, it was scheduled for completion next Friday, and that was the basis on which work was being undertaken. This is not in any way to detract from the result of the vote that just occurred. It was, as Senator Hanson said, a comprehensive decision made by this Senate on behalf of the communities that senators represent. I'm not seeking to take away from that. I voted one way and others voted another, and I respect that.

I am sorry, but please don't characterise this—I heard someone say the homework's not done. We're not seeking to just talk it out. The reality is I have just asked whether there was a willingness on the part of the proponent of the bill to allow us time to consider this. I know it's inconvenient and I'm sorry that I am now asking for that, but I have got to get this done on behalf of others that have sought this—volunteer and community groups that have reached out in relation to these issues—and I don't think that's an unreasonable thing. I want to make sure that the Leader of the Greens understood that this is not some exercise to detract from a decision that is going to be made by this parliament.

It's clear that the numbers mean that this will be legislated and that the territories' rights will be restored. I understand it's frustrating, but there are important considerations. I accept what Senator Gallagher has said; this bill is a straightforward repeal of legislation that's already in existence. But there are flow-on implications for that in relation to so many other areas. In her contribution she referenced the territory's own human rights protections, which I gather are enshrined in legislation. There will be other flow-on implications for those sorts of protections in the community in each of the territories once a repeal is made, so just having the capacity to consider amendments around that would, I think, be helpful.

I'm not seeking to frustrate debate; I'm not seeking to take up time to change people's minds. Minds have been made up, and it has been 20 years in the making. As Senator Waters said, these are important issues, and I just want to make sure that we do have the time to be able to get these amendments completed and put before the committee.