QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (15:03): That's really easy; the answer is zero. I reiterate what I said yesterday. I get that some people come to this issue from different perspectives, but to go to people's motives rather than have a debate about the substance of the issue is, I think, demeaning of the role of this parliament.

One of the things that I have said is that I would engage across the board with parliamentarians on these issues. Over a long period of time, I've had many discussions with crossbenchers about these issues. I have had discussions with the Leader of the Opposition; I don't think he minds me saying that.

He's been in my office more times this week than I went into the Prime Minister's office as Leader of the Opposition in three years. I'm actually prepared to engage across the parliament. I'm sorry if that causes some upset to some behind the Leader of the Opposition, but I must say it hasn't been his attitude which has been constructive.

These issues are complex. There are issues of foreign engagement as well. The idea that gambling is an issue that just occurs on free-to-air TV or just occurs in one area is just not right.

The idea that betting on sports is the major gambling addiction in Australia is absolutely false, as well as the idea that these sporting codes are somehow evil. I reject that. Sporting codes do a fantastic job of engaging young people in particular and being a binding force for people's identity with their local communities and are really important.

I think that is something that needs to be acknowledged. We'll work through the debate that has taken place in the parliament over the last couple of days. We'll bring that debate to finality next week.

People will work through our processes of engaging respectfully with my caucus colleagues. We had a position adopted at our ALP National Conference in Adelaide, which will be reflected in the amendments that will be moved— (Time expired)