SENATOR PENNY WONG, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE: Here we have a Federal Government in chaos, thats what we have. Lets remember, Malcolm Turnbull at the Federal Election stood in front of signs saying Stable Government. Well, how stable does this Government look at the moment? Remember, Mr Turnbull went to an early election, a double dissolution, for two reasons. One, was he said we had urgent industrial relations legislation to pass, and second, he wanted to clean out the Senate. He wanted to make it more manageable. Well, hes failed on both fronts. He doesnt want to present his industrial relations legislation. He doesnt want to present it, despite going to an election on it. And I dont think anybody looking at this Senate would think that it was a more manageable Senate as a result of Mr Turnbulls double dissolution. I also want to make this point about Bob Day and his apparent ineligibility for election. Mr Turnbull cannot wash his hands of this problem. Mr Turnbull cannot duck responsibility for this problem, because Senator Days ineligibility is a problem of Mr Turnbulls own making. Remember this, the issue that is causing concern about Bob Days eligibility to stand, is a deal the Turnbull Government was prepared to do, in relation to Senator Days electoral office. So, Bob Days ineligibility is a direct result of a dodgy deal that Malcolm Turnbulls Government was prepared to engage in. So, there is no point in Malcolm Turnbull standing in front of the cameras and telling the Australian people it is not my fault. This Government was the one that went to a double dissolution. This Government told everybody that the IR legislation was urgent. And importantly, it was his Government that entered into a dodgy deal with Bob Day, before the last election, that is at the very core of the chaos we see today. JOURNALIST: Do you think the Government has any chance of passing the ABCC legislation with the current Senate? WONG: Its up to the Government to work out if it can pass legislation. Our job as Labor Senators is to vote the way we told the Australian people we would vote. Were opposed to that legislation for reasons of principle, weve said that. As a matter of arithmetic, obviously the events of these last days have made it more difficult for the Government. But I think it is up to the Government to come out and tell people what its plans are. What we saw is Mr Turnbull making clear he didnt really want to bring the Bills in, despite them being so important. And the Government Manager of Business Senator Fifield just telling everyone well just do this one week at a time. Thats not the way you govern, you dont just govern one week at a time. JOURNALIST: Are you surprised the IR Bills wont be put to a vote this week? WONG: Nothing surprises me when it comes to the chaos in this Government. JOURNALIST: Theres a few less crossbenchers to deal with? WONG: Well, Im not sure that eight out of nine is easier than nine out of eleven, so I think the arithmetic speaks for itself. The broader issue here is weve got, and this is unprecedented, two Senators here who are likely to likely to have their election referred to the Court of Disputed Returns on Monday, subject to the Senate agreeing. And at least one of those Senators, youd have to say, his ineligibility is a direct consequence of a dodgy deal the Turnbull Government made. JOURNALIST: Will Labor be supporting the Senate motions to refer the Bob Day and Rod Culleton elections to the High Court? WONG: Ive already indicated, in principle, we will support them. I have asked George Brandis to provide us with a copy of the motion. We obviously want to see the motion and the terms of it. But on the basis of what we have seen thus far, yes we will support it. JOURNALIST: And should Rod Culleton be able to vote while this process is underway? WONG: What I would say to Senator Culleton is this: these are serious matters, and it is important that the operation of the Senate, and in particular any controversial votes of the Senate, are seen by the public to have integrity, and Id ask him to consider that, when considering whether to exercise his vote.