COMMITTEES

Senator SHOEBRIDGE (New South Wales) (11:21): Thanks to the chamber. It's a bloody outrage that the majors in this place are not letting there be two representatives from the crossbench. I know that there's probably a committee of secretaries who are desperately keen not to have more crossbenchers actually asking the questions.

We can see a stitch-up when you do it. We know what you want to do. You don't want people actually testing what happens in this committee.

I've got to tell you this. Joint select committees are places where hope goes to die, so you actually do me a great favour in not sending me down onto this select committee. We've all been on them, right?

Some drones and deadheads from the lower house come in and bore you to death. If anyone thinks a joint select committee on AI is how we're going to get ahead of the tidal wave of disaster that's coming, wake up and smell the roses! But, mainly, the crossbench can see a stitch-up, and we're not going to fight amongst ourselves.

Senator Wong: I'm calling a point of order on the slurs about the members in the other place. That should be withdrawn under the standing orders. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I'm waiting for silence.

I did ask for these one-minute statements to be heard in silence. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Hanson-Young: Now you're calling order?

The PRESIDENT: Order! My goodness! Senator Hanson-Young: Go back and watch what just happened!

The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Hanson-Young, you will withdraw that comment. Senator Hanson-Young: I will withdraw.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you. Senator Shoebridge, because there was so much noise in the chamber, I did not hear the comments that you may have made in relation to the other house, but, if you did make comments which were unparliamentary, I invite you to withdraw them. Senator Shoebridge: I withdraw them.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Senator Shoebridge. Senator David Pocock.