David Norris (Independent)

I acknowledge the honourable behaviour of Government Members who, in firm tones, supported calls for a debate on Iraq. Their stance may lead to pressure from within their parties, but I have no doubt that they will be vindicated by history. I join others in calling for such a debate. Will the Leader will give an indication of the particular times at which a series of rolling debates can be taken? I agree with Senator Brian Hayes that a Minister need not be present. On the last occasion the Minister did not come before the House, although the debate was attended by a good Minister of State. We must have such a debate regularly, particularly in view of the issues that have been raised by my colleagues on all sides of the House about journalism.

We are lucky to have people such as Lara Marlowe and Richard Downey. I salute their enormous courage. Even Rupert Murdoch's The Sunday Times carried an extraordinary headline with regard to a massacre of 12 civilians, in which a US soldier said, "Iraqis are sick and we are the chemotherapy." There has been another massacre. Seven women and children were massacred last night and when it was announced, the so-called reporter, dressed in army fatigues, gave his version of what had happened before the investigation had even started. We have seen the sacking of Peter Arnett, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, and the engagement of a convicted liar, Oliver North, to comment for one of the main stations.