Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

The government has indicated that it will give leave to Senator Heffernan’s motion. But could I just make an observation about Senate procedure; not about the policy matters Senator Siewert so eloquently put to us. This is not a time in Senate proceedings which lends itself easily to sensible and considered debate. Senators have been sitting in the chamber for some time on this issue. There are mechanisms for these sorts of debates to be organised, to be structured appropriately and for parties in this place to be given the courtesy of the ability to consider some of the issues before the chamber. So I would invite senators, if they have such issues, to perhaps consider using the procedures which are available, the opportunities for debate which are available, to senators in this place.