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

We have provided, because we knew that there would be a lot of interest in this bill, the opportunity for every senator to participate. The motion allows for that.

In relation to Senator Cash's criticisms about our committee stage, there is a committee stage. The committee stage is tomorrow. You can ask as many questions as you like, and I commit that my answers will be short and to the point so that you're able to ask as many questions as you would like, as you have been afforded through estimates, through the committee process, through question time and through every other forum. You have been asking questions. I sat at estimates. We had a lot of questions there. I know Senator Darmanin chaired the Economics Legislation Committee. There were two days for people to ask questions. All of that is standard process for the passage of legislation through this chamber.

This is the first engagement the government probably has had about seeking cooperation or collaboration on the tax bills with the opposition. You didn't engage at all. The only engagement that was had on this bill was how to delay it for six months alongside a delay to the NDIS for six months.

Forgive us if we feel that some of this may be a little bit disingenuous. Senator Cash, you don't like the bill. You don't want it to pass. I think you've made your mind up about the answers to the questions, but you've chosen not to engage on it other than to seek to delay this bill for six months. We have reached agreement with the majority of this Senate for these bills to pass. It's important that these bills pass. You have all the time in the world, if you choose, to speak on these bills.