Maurice Hayes (Independent)

I am tempted to support Senator Ross in regard to the question of how people respond to debates in the House. We all know the difference between a Minister who engages with the House and one who has a prepared response to the debate in question. In the case of the latter, debate is negated.

I wish to make a point in regard to the Bill we are being asked to take today as an emergency measure and I hope it will be helpful to the Leader. I was initially surprised that such apparently trivial legislation should produce such urgency. Having read the Bill, however, I recognise the importance of its purpose in ensuring respect for the rights of those who put in applications to acquire a ground rent up to the time of the passing of the Bill. If the Bill was dealt with in the normal way and notice given, it would have been an invitation to everybody concerned to log in to a potential source of money. None of us is pleased when legislation is rushed through in this manner. However, it seems there was no other way of conducting this business and I am sure the Minister will explain this necessity to the House.