Mr McCLELLAND (Barton) (10.44 p.m.) —I agree to the tabling of the statement of reasons. In terms of the question before us, I can indicate, as I indicated last night to the Attorney-General, that the opposition will not be opposing the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2004 because our amendment has been unsuccessful. We obviously moved the amendment because we thought it appropriate in an area of national security to retain ultimately the power of the parliament. However, the fundamentals of the bill are of significance. As I indicated, we put forward the amendment in good faith with a view to improving the legislation. That amendment being unsuccessful, nonetheless the rationale for the legislation still remains. On that basis, the opposition will not oppose the government's rejection of the Senate amendments. It will enable the legislation to be passed expeditiously—one would think tomorrow morning.
Question agreed to.