Joe O'Toole (Independent)

It is also a process about forcing people to sign in blood on the bottom line and to stick with the agreement. Every time I hear politicians talking about not being involved in the social partnership discussions I reflect on how lucky they are. The day one engages is the day one has to stick with what is agreed and that would not suit too many politicians who would have signed up to defend the downsides as well as the upsides to an agreement. If one has not signed up to something, it is much easier to come into this House as my colleague, Senator Ross, did previously to express his total opposition to benchmarking. Nonetheless, he was quite happy to accept it.