SENATOR THE HON PENNY WONG
LABOR SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
MEDIA RELEASE
9 July 2014
The Abbott Government’s unique combination of arrogance and
incompetence was on display this morning when it unsuccessfully
attempted to ram its carbon price repeal bills through the Senate.
In an attempt to ambush the Senate, the Government moved to have the bills declared urgent so it could guillotine debate and force them through by lunchtime today.
This move fell flat when key cross-bench Senators stood up to Government pressure and upheld the Senate’s democratic role in scrutinising and debating legislation.
If the Government’s motion had succeeded it would have ended the second reading debate after just one day and denied all Senators the opportunity to properly examine the nine bills in detail, debate amendments and question Ministers during the committee stage.
The Government sought to end debate today despite the Opposition offering to give up hours of Opposition time in the Senate tomorrow for debate on the bills.
Today’s move was an act of bad faith and a demonstration of the Prime Minister’s contempt for the Senate.
Mr Abbott’s office briefed the media that the bills would be passed by lunchtime and that the Prime Minister would fly into Canberra tomorrow for a triumphant media conference.
While this morning’s attempt to manipulate the cross-benches and turn the Senate into an arm of the Prime Minister’s Press Office failed, the risk to the Senate from this arrogant Government is undiminished.
In an attempt to ambush the Senate, the Government moved to have the bills declared urgent so it could guillotine debate and force them through by lunchtime today.
This move fell flat when key cross-bench Senators stood up to Government pressure and upheld the Senate’s democratic role in scrutinising and debating legislation.
If the Government’s motion had succeeded it would have ended the second reading debate after just one day and denied all Senators the opportunity to properly examine the nine bills in detail, debate amendments and question Ministers during the committee stage.
The Government sought to end debate today despite the Opposition offering to give up hours of Opposition time in the Senate tomorrow for debate on the bills.
Today’s move was an act of bad faith and a demonstration of the Prime Minister’s contempt for the Senate.
Mr Abbott’s office briefed the media that the bills would be passed by lunchtime and that the Prime Minister would fly into Canberra tomorrow for a triumphant media conference.
While this morning’s attempt to manipulate the cross-benches and turn the Senate into an arm of the Prime Minister’s Press Office failed, the risk to the Senate from this arrogant Government is undiminished.
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