Senator BROWN(12.25 p.m.) —I thank the government for the change as far as the Australian National Railways Commission Sale Bill 1997, the bill on privatising rail, is concerned. It is a very important matter for Tasmania, where the whole rail system is in enormous contention at the moment. The legislation came to the Senate just this morning. There are 44 pages of it. I am in discussion with a wide range of community groups in Tasmania. I will be meeting unions at a national level this afternoon.

The Greens are in favour of the railways staying in public hands free of debt at state level and under the jurisdiction of the public through the return to state government owner ship. I just flag that, and I thank the government for giving me more time to consult with community groups rather than having to debate this on the run. It is too important for that.