David Norris (Independent)

I welcome the Minister and join in the compliments. He is a man of sterling qualities and I hope among them is contained an element of sardonic humour underneath that impassive ministerial mask because, otherwise, I do not imagine he could have sat here for several hours without feeling the effects. I am very glad to see him back in full health and vigour and able to withstand this. I understand he has had an attack of influenza recently and it is refreshing to see him back in the House.

I must respectfully disagree with my colleague, Senator Mary White. Two reports have been referred to, about which I have spoken at some length and I will not reiterate all of that now. These reports indicated very clearly that this was not a vanilla bubble of boom and bust-----