Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I'm always happy to withdraw. If people are sensitive about the fact that we point out the lack of good faith and the way in which Senator Pocock has handled this—someone who comes into the chamber and tells us how we should behave better. I would say to him that an unholy alliance with Senator McKenzie and the coalition, to prevent a committee from doing the Senate's work, is not your best self, Senator Pocock. What I would say is that I understand that the configuration of the Senate has meant that some crossbenchers feel like they are less relevant. I don't think that is an excuse to engage in stunts and the disruption of the Senate and, frankly, disruption of a committee.

To be honest with you, I find it quite remarkable that Senator Pocock and Senator Shoebridge, along with the coalition, which is the alliance of the same people who blocked more housing in Australia—actually I don't think you were part of this Senator Pocock, but I can't recall—now want to come to this place and say: 'We won't even talk to the minister. We won't participate in the committee. We won't tell the Leader of the Government in the Senate or the manager that we're going to move a stunt.'