Wong, Sen Penny

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (12:56): First, I acknowledge and respect the contribution from Senator Lambie. I heard her contribution on radio on this issue previously. Her sincerity is undoubted. It would be good to get a resolution on this, to expedite matters. I indicate that the government will support the amendment moved by the opposition. We ask that paragraphs (a) and (b) be put separately; we will be voting a different way on (a) and (b). I now propose to close this debate. Senator Shoebridge interjecting— Senator WONG: If I may, Senator Shoebridge, your party has spent days now trying not to get to Help to Buy. We would like a vote on that. I propose to seek to close this debate so that the Senate can do what Senator Lambie has said, which is to make its position clear to the government of the day; I understand that. Senator Shoebridge: I have a short contribution that will be quicker than a division. The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT ( Senator Bilyk ): Senator Shoebridge, you don't have the call. Senator WONG: With respect, Senator Shoebridge, if you could give me a guarantee you'd be two minutes that would be fine, but my experience so far has been that that is not the case. If you would like to make a statement by leave for two minutes, I'll sit down and then I'll close the debate. Senator Hanson-Young interjecting— Senator WONG: He hasn't said that to me. Senator Hanson-Young, I trust you, but— Senator Shoebridge interjecting— Senator WONG: I just asked you. The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Through the chair, Minister Wong. Senator WONG: Sorry. It doesn't appear that he's willing to make— The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, can you resume your seat. Senator Hanson-Young? Senator Hanson-Young: After fast consideration, we'll take your two-minute statement option. The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Shoebridge, you have the call for two minutes.