In the course of heated discussion and argument in recent days Senator Norris and I repeatedly expressed our dissatisfaction with the information we were receiving as it indicated that the Government's objective was not feasible. Ministerial advisers were being asked to defend the impossible. Nothing we said should be viewed as a reflection on the ability of advisers, nor did we mean to embarrass them. Unfortunately, however, civil servants are placed in a position of having to carry out the will of their political masters. We were unhappy about this and the fact that the Minister of State in situ did not have the relevant information to hand, which put his officials in an impossible position. Senators on all sides of the House will breathe a sigh of relief following this victory for common sense.