Senator JACINTA COLLINS (Victoria—Manager of Government Business in the Senate and Parliamentary Secretary for School Education and Workplace Relations) (16:16): The government will be opposing this suspension motion, and there are several reasons for that. Senator Brandis: A disgraceful act of bad faith. Senator JACINTA COLLINS: Firstly, what was completely disgraceful was the way in which the opposition attempted to progress this matter. For all the whinging from Senator Fifield this morning, there was no notice given at all that you wanted to seek leave to progress this matter—none at all. That is the first main reason we will be opposing the suspension and indeed why we oppose leave. Senator Abetz, Senator Brandis and Senator Fifield are all well aware of the appropriate conduct in a matter such as this. You came before the Senate with no notice and read a motion which you sought leave to move, which was deliberately designed to be opposed. So, for those that carry on and talk about stunts and high jinks, here is the best example. I look forward to an opportunity— Honourable senators interjecting— The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT ( Senator Moore ): If you would cease yelling across the chamber we would be able to hear the argument. Senator Collins. Senator JACINTA COLLINS: Thank you, Madam Acting Deputy President. As I was saying, I look forward to an opportunity to differentiate fact from fiction here. I have very little confidence in this opposition presenting before us, in a clear and proper way, the facts of this matter. Too often, as we see in question time and as we see in other debates, the hype and hyperbole is what is presented in this chamber. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator JACINTA COLLINS: Yes, hyperbole. Senator Brandis interjecting— Senator JACINTA COLLINS: Oh, thank you, Senator Brandis, because you expose yourself completely every time. An opposition senator: You wouldn't answer this question in a debate in this chamber. Senator JACINTA COLLINS: I answered this question in the debate, but, as I said, I look forward to an opportunity to differentiate the fact from the fiction here. Opposition senators interjecting— The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senators on the left side would remember that Senator Abetz was heard in silence. An opposition senator: Relative silence. The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Absolutely relative silence. Senator Collins. Senator JACINTA COLLINS: Thank you, and Senator Brandis might like to stop screeching. Thank you, Chair, for the opportunity to address the points in this matter in a more appropriate way. Senator Brandis: You are so decorous. Senator JACINTA COLLINS: Should I acknowledge that interjection as well? The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: I wouldn't, Senator Collins. Senator JACINTA COLLINS: Senator Abetz—sorry, Senator Brandis; I apologise, Senator Abetz, because you do not conduct yourself in this way. Senator Brandis does not seem to understand that the nature of the interjections that he is shrieking and his carrying on do him no service at all. You only need to look at the faces of his colleagues when he carries on this way. Fortunately, because of where I sit in the chamber, I do not often see his face and his carry-on, but now as I stand it is pretty obvious that he understands, as does Senator Abetz, that this clearly is a stunt. I look forward to looking at the merits of this situation. Senator Abetz is obviously excited about a matter. But, if you were serious, you would have consulted us before bringing this on. I understand Senator Brandis and Senator Abetz were all very excited. They trotted into the chamber and it was very obvious that a stunt was coming, and here it is and it is presented in this way. Next time, give notice if you wish to seek leave. It is as clear as that. Give notice if you wish to seek leave. Until you act accordingly, yes, we will oppose a suspension of this character. I look forward, with an opportunity of time and facts, to clearly assess what has been asserted here. But, for the moment, unfortunately, this opposition has form—very clear form—of coming into this place with inaccuracies and fiction. Until I can see the facts of this matter, I certainly will not be agreeing to completely circumvent the Senate program for the day.