Alex White (Labour)

It is certainly not intended as an explanation and it is a pity that it should be taken up in that way. It is meant absolutely genuinely.

There has been a political shift in the past few days and I agree with Senator Fitzgerald that there should be a debate about this. Manifestly, there has been a change politically throughout the country and I am happy to say there has been a marked shift to my party and to the left in this city and in urban areas throughout the country, about which we should have a debate. It throws down a challenge to all political parties, including my own, that we should present genuine political alternatives to the people and that we should not think they will be satisfied with personality politics or with swapping personnel in Government for other personnel.

I accept this is a challenge for all parties. We should move on to present genuine alternatives and debate them in a House such as this in the future. A debate in this House, as suggested by Senator Fitzgerald, would present an opportunity for that to be done and I second her amendment to the Order of Business.