Senator HARRIS (9:58 PM) —It is very interesting to see the way this debate is developing. In the movement of one amendment the Democrats have locked themselves into a fixed position. As the One Nation senator for Queensland I find that quite intriguing. Looking at the process of debate in this chamber, it is in the interests of how legislation is developed that senators come into this chamber with an open mind. How can you come into this chamber with an open mind and on the first amendment lock yourself into a position by gutting the bill?

I want to place very clearly on the record what I have been saying in the media over the last few days: it is the position of One Nation to respond, firstly, to the people of Queensland and, secondly, to the entities that are going to be required to work under the legislation that we are debating. We have a responsibility to have a balance in how we approach a piece of legislation. One Nation has two amendments that we are going to move in the debate on this bill and other senators in this chamber also have amendments that they will move. How can one, as a senator, actually fix their position by gutting the bill before it even starts and then try to mount an argument that they are here to listen to a debate?

One Nation's position is that the only way we can ultimately determine the correct position for the people of Queensland is to eventually assess the bill based on its amended or unamended form in the final vote. That is clearly our position. One Nation is here to listen to what the people of Queensland have said. We are here to take into consideration the members of the media who work within the legislation and, on behalf of those people, I will make my final decision based on the ultimate outcome of the legislation as it comes back to this chamber.