Mr SLIPPER(10.54 p.m.) —Not only are those opposite suffering from relevance deprivation syndrome but they are indeed suffering from reality deprivation syndrome. One only has to go down the main street of any town to notice that the community is totally opposed to what the opposition is seeking to do. We have more than one million people every year applying to come to this country. We can afford to pick and choose. If you ask people in mainstream Australia whether it is reasonable that migrants should come here and should be able to jump off the boat and onto the dole queue, then clearly they will say that that should not happen.

The whip advises me that my time is up, but the point is that the opposition is totally out of order and totally out of step with the Australian community. I urge this place to reject what the opposition is suggesting and to strongly support the approach taken by the minister. The people of Australia have had enough. They have had a gutful of the opposition. They are asking for a fair go. They simply do not believe that it is fair and reasonable and acceptable for people to come here and automatically join the dole queue and be recipients of other social security benefits.

Mr Filing —On a point of order, is it appropriate for the Leader of the House and the Chief Government Whip to be standing over members as they are making their contribution to the debate?

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Nehl) —There is no point of order. I thank the honourable member.