Mr ABBOTT (Leader of the House) (2:05 AM) —There was an informal arrangement between the government and the opposition under which the opposition agreed to withdraw speakers from the debate on this bill. I am very sorry that the Attorney-General was not aware of that arrangement. It was rather unfair of the government to be critical of the opposition for doing what had been informally agreed. On behalf of the government, I am sorry about this.

The SPEAKER —The member for Oxley cannot have it both ways.

Mr ABBOTT —I hope that the member for Prospect will accept this apology on behalf of the government. I hope that this bill can now be dealt with in the expeditious way the original understanding anticipated.