Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Hansard source

Senator Lambie has made the point that the Albanese Labor government has guillotined more bills through this Senate in three years than the previous coalition government did in the previous nine years. This was the government of transparency. This was the government of accountability. This was the government of proper process. 'To hell with it,' they say. As soon as they got their hands on the keys to the Lodge and as soon as they moved into the blue carpet, away went all the promises about transparency, accountability or proper process. Instead, it's just whatever it takes, whenever it takes, however they can. That's the approach this government has taken.

In nearly 18 years in this Senate, I've never seen an ambit claim like this. I've never seen a motion that seeks to ram 41 bills through the Senate in a single day in this manner. It is unprecedented, it is extraordinary and it is shameful. The government should just withdraw this motion. They should have the good courtesy and common sense to withdraw it. The tactics behind it are clear. They're trying to wedge the Greens a little bit over here, wedge the opposition a little bit over there, wedge the crossbenchers a little bit elsewhere and see what they can kind of do from it all. We'll oppose the motion in its entirety. The opposition will not support this tactic. This tactic is something the government should be ashamed of. The government should withdraw it.

I want to be clear that we will be constructive with the government today, as we actually have been through this fortnight. The government has twice asked for extra hours and time to pass bills this fortnight. They asked in relation to the Aged Care Bill 2024 on Thursday last week. We agreed and we cooperated. They asked in relation to the education bills on Tuesday night this week. We agreed. We cooperated. We even indicated they could add an extra motion in relation to land rights onto that time management bill. Have they asked for extra hours any other day this fortnight? No. They've had all the time in the world where they could have said, 'These things are important. The Senate could sit longer,' but they haven't even come to us and asked. Instead, we're just given this motion, which is so counterproductive to the effective operation of the Senate.

We are still wanting to be constructive. Whilst we will oppose this motion, I draw the Senate's attention—particular the government's attention—to the government business orders of the day. Up first is the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024. The coalition will work with the government to pass that bill today. You can ditch your motion. It'll be the first item of business, and we will work with you consistent with Mr Peter Dutton's promise to pass that bill. We will actually work with you constructively through the other bills that are listed in the Order of Business today. We understand the urgency and sensitivity of the aged care ones in relation to continuing our cooperation with the government on that and the sensitivity in relation to payment surcharges, and we would be willing to work in relation to the migration bills too. We're willing to work with the government—and we'll be cooperative—but we're not going to be taken on a ride. We're not going to be taken on a ride with this motion.

I can only assume it's the former trade union types on the bench opposite who've thought: 'What's worked for us in negotiations previously? I know, the old ambit claim. Let's go in and ask for the world, and then we'll work back from there.' We're not falling for it. We're not buying into it. I urge the crossbench to listen to Senator Lambie and hear those words. Yes, I know the crossbench won't agree with everything that the coalition is proposing to do with the government today either, but we're trying to strike the responsible balance. We're trying to be true to our word in working on the issues that we've said we will progress. Peter Dutton is being true to his word on working through the issues he said he would progress with the government. Senator Gallagher, reconsider the madness. Ditch your motion, and let's get on with the business of the day that we actually can do constructively together, as the opposition has offered to you.