Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Hansard source

It's times like these that I feel the only words that are appropriate are: politics makes for odd bedfellows on occasion. A more motley bunch of bedfellows supporting this motion, I suspect, you will never see in this place. But in lending my support to the motion, I include myself in that, because we are this strange crew, all concerned about the Chinese Communist Party's influence in Australia.

Senator Farrell interjecting—

I note the rather unkind interjections about a former senator from Senator Farrell. I have something more to say about this, Senator Farrell, but—if I may, through you, Madam Acting Deputy President—when Senator Farrell wasn't here, no-one said anything ill of him; it was all good will and light. Nonetheless, I shall not delay the Senate any longer. I commend this motion and I commend Senator Patrick for putting it up for the fifth time.