Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS (7:48 PM) —Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

The PRESIDENT —Leave is granted for one minute.

Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS —For the record, I just want to say that Senator Xenophon indicated that he had spoken to Mr Dutton in relation to this. There may have been a misunderstanding. I was not aware that Senator Xenophon had spoken to Mr Dutton about it. In any case, the opposition will not be supporting the motion moved by Senator Xenophon and Senator Fielding.

Senator XENOPHON —Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

The PRESIDENT —Leave is granted for one minute.

Senator XENOPHON —Thank you. I just want to indicate to Senator Fierravanti-Wells that I am sorry if there was any misunderstanding. I indicated earlier that I had spoken to Senator Trood and Mr Dutton, but I was referring to last week and in relation to the general principles of this bill. I do not want there to be a misapprehension that I had spoken to Mr Dutton in relation to these second reading amendments. I apologise if there was any misunderstanding.

Question agreed to.

Original question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.