Derek McDowell (Labour)

I join other Senators in thanking the Minister of State for the way in which he dealt with the Bill today. I appreciate it can be difficult to come into either House with what I expect are overriding instructions from the Department of Finance not to give a great deal. Even in that context we have had a useful discussion and at least started the process of teasing out the details. Details remain which need to be teased out further and no doubt that will happen in the other House.

In today's short debate we have seen that legislation is not the appropriate way to deal with this issue. There are many special circumstances which need to be considered and cannot be reflected in legislation. In the latter stages of our discussion, it was clear that the legislation itself accepts that principle. This makes me wonder why the legislation was introduced in the first place. I suspect we will see the Bill back in this House in coming weeks and I look forward to seeing the Minister of State at that time.