Senator Andrew Bartlett
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
 
Two days to go
The Senate started on a long list of valedictory speeches last night at 6pm with Brian Harradine's final speech after 30 years.

This week also marks the departure of the Senate's Deputy Clerk, Anne Lynch, who first came to the Senate at the start of the Whitlam era. Unlike the Clerk, Harry Evans, who is quite publicly outspoken (including just recently), Anne is quieter but has none the less produced useful assessments of parliamentary processes.

The Senate also agreed yesterday to establish
a Senate Inquiry into the administration of the Migration Act. In a clear sign that the Government is not wanting to be subjected to any serious scrutiny on this area, and a worrying signal as to what will happen when the they get control of the Senate, they voted against this inquiry being established, even forcing it to a formal vote to make the point (and maybe on the outside chance they might stop it if the independents voted against it).

Valedictories will continue for most of today. Some of the other key departing speakers will be former Labor Cabinet Ministers, Peter Cook and Nick Bolkus.

There will probably be a long final day of sitting on Thursday to get through all the other pieces of legislation, including
the brand new Migration Bill which the Government is wanting to rush through the Senate after introducing it just yesterday in the House of Representatives and getting it voted on in that chamber the same day.


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