Senator McEWEN (South Australia—Government Whip in the Senate) (15:44): While we are waiting for Senator Sterle to come and contribute to this debate this afternoon, in addressing the motion moved by the opposition I would like to again point out that here we are once again hearing tirades from the opposition about a very complex, difficult issue. They always present a simplistic view of the world and do not take into account that this is in fact a multifaceted problem and one that the government is addressing in a number of ways. That includes addressing it from a regional perspective, working with our near neighbours to ensure that the issue of people smuggling and the transport of people is addressed from a regional perspective in cooperation with our near neighbours. They know full well that we will not have a resolution to the issue until we get that cooperation from our neighbours, and that is what we are striving to do. Senator Cash: Not with much luck! Senator McEWEN: Senator Cash, I actually think that you do not want there to be success, because it suits you to be able to get up here and bang on about this issue time after time— Senator Cash: Because of your constant failures in this area! Senator McEWEN: day after day, MPI after MPI. It suits you to carry on that way. I am proud of the government's record in this area. It is a difficult issue, and we are working very hard to solve it. And I know that now Senator Sterle is going to add to this debate with some considered opinions, unlike those rantings that we continue to hear from your side of the chamber. Senator Cash interjecting— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Sterle, it would be normal for me to call somebody from the other side but I understand that the whip has agreed that you should fill the rest of the time allocated at this time.