Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

Now look! Everyone is racing out to get their little trolley bags and head off to the Chairman's Lounge. They couldn't they believe they've been delayed. They're frustrated that they have had to sit in here—some of them who sat in here this afternoon—and they didn't land a blow. It was 3½ hours, and that was your A team that you brought today?

There were 10 senators with important questions on health, infrastructure, defence, national security and women's health—questions on behalf of their community, and what did we see? We saw a great big stitch-up. It was: 'No, no, no; you're not allowed questions. We're the only ones that are allowed questions.' Then, what did you do with it? Honestly! We said: 'Let's keep going. We're here; we can stay all night. I'm here. I've got my question time folder; I've got my helpful information. Everyone is ready to go. We're all locked in.' What did you do? You said: 'No. It's 5.30; I've got to go get my trolley bag and get out of here.' That's what we've just seen.

The biggest wet blanket that the Senate has ever had to endure just happened right now. There was all the anticipation—we're going to get government; we're going to get them; we're going to make them answer questions! Yet, here we are, and what do you do? Oh, it's 5.30. There's a nice riesling somewhere, isn't there? There is a nice riesling somewhere and some chilled wine glasses, and you don't want to do any work. Look—you couldn't get out of here quick enough!