Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (12:10): We won't be supporting the suspension. We had no notice of it at all, which means that I am at a disadvantage in being able to even respond to it. Those in this place who always seek to have advice about what's going on have brought something that wasn't even circulated at the point that the senator moved it. I'm here trying to get information in order to be able to be in a position to respond to the suspension— Senator Lambie: It's atrocious that you're doing it. Senator GALLAGHER: Senator Lambie, all we ask is that, if you're going to do something like this, you give five seconds notice. Senator Lambie: You should be ashamed of yourself. Senator GALLAGHER: No, I'm not ashamed of myself, Senator Lambie. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Lambie, you were listened to in silence. Senator GALLAGHER: This Senate, frankly, in the way in conducts itself at the moment, is an embarrassment to the nation. The way that we conduct ourselves in this chamber is an absolute embarrassment. Yesterday was an all-time low, and it seems that, at 10 minutes past 12, we're sinking into exactly the same kind of conduct. All I am saying to you, Senator Lambie, is that if you are going to move a motion like this—a suspension—it is common courtesy in this chamber to give a heads-up so that people can be prepared in order to respond respectfully to the issues that you raise. That has not been afforded, and I have tried to get as much information as I can in the last 10 minutes about the issue you raised. This matter, which is currently before the courts, remains in its early stages. It is standard practice for preliminary issues to be addressed through the court to clarify and confirm aspects of the claim. This ensures that the proceedings can be managed appropriately. I am not in a position to comment any further or, indeed, even to respond to some of the allegations that have been raised in this chamber by Senator Shoebridge and Senator Lambie, as the Commonwealth has not yet put a position to the court, and disclosing details could prejudice the court proceedings and impact legal professional privilege. There was a time when this chamber would have listened to that and respected that. I accept that the Senate has moved way beyond operating in that world, and we've seen plenty of evidence of that. I know that this issue was raised in estimates. The CDF, Admiral Johnston— Senator Lambie interjecting— Senator GALLAGHER: If I could just finish without being shouted at by other senators, Admiral Johnston has been clear about the supportive approach the ADF seeks to provide to women who serve in the ADF. Senator Lambie: Yeah, sure, on paper but nowhere else. Senator GALLAGHER: I accept that you disagree, Senator Lambie, but we each have the right to stand up and respond. The advice that I can give this morning, based on the information that I've been able to glean, is that it is standard practice for preliminary issues to be addressed through the court to clarify and confirm aspects of the claim so that the proceedings can be managed appropriately. As this matter is before the court, I am not in a position to provide any further information. If there is more engagement that we can provide to Senator Lambie through the Minister for Defence, I'm very happy to undertake that and to see if we can provide that information because I know that Senator Lambie's advocacy around matters relating to defence and veterans in defence is a priority for her and one the government respects and has sought at every opportunity to work with her on. But in terms of being able to respond to some of the allegations that you have asserted in this place, I am not in a position, and that is partly procedural due to the fact that we were not given any notice and also due to the disrespect that was shown to people in this place to engage in this suspension stunt. That happens every single day that we are due to start on government business but never ever happens on private senators' business days, ever. There is never any suspension that is sought on those days because it is not nearly as important then, so that stunt is the first point. The second point is, because these matters are before the courts and they are being considered by the court, which is the appropriate place for this to occur, we will not support the suspension.