Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

This amendment, like the previous amendment, proposes to extend the length of time to 21 days, which could be four working weeks. Given that we are surely not expecting people to make excuses about Saturdays and Sundays, I take it the Senator means four working weeks. Again, I cannot understand why somebody would have to wait that length of time to furnish an excuse. If the person is invoking asylum status from the State, the onus should be on him or her to give the required information as speedily as possible. The provision also places an onus on the State to accept a reason within three days. The provisions in the Bill, in contrast to what Senator Tuffy is trying to achieve, are intended to shorten the period in which this process is completed. I ask her to withdraw the amendment.