Nuclear Waste

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:33): Is the referendum a policy that the government will be taking to the next election in 2018?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:33): It is incredibly unfortunate that the Leader of the Opposition, in conjunction with his entire party room, has decided to kill an opportunity to discuss a significant issue. The Leader of the Opposition and the opposition generally have completely abandoned the principle of bipartisan support for an incredibly important public policy issue. They have killed this issue and, as such, they have made it abundantly clear that their position is not changing and I think that is to the detriment of a thorough, thought through public policy discussion. They have killed this issue and, as such, it will not be an issue at the next election.