We're hearing a couple of different stories from Mr. Julian. He said he's talked to industry, and they're ready to get the minister...yet he's put forward a huge list of industry people he wants to hear from again on this agreement.
Clearly the official opposition can agree with this point, that a minister's time is limited. If we had the opportunity to question officials on this particular agreement, it would allow for a more productive meeting with the minister during the course of his time, which I think is going to be limited to two hours, plus we're going to have a number of other witnesses.
If this continues to grow, unless you propose that we meet until the late night hours during those two dates that we've proposed...all I'm saying is that we wouldn't mind an opportunity to have that technical briefing to get a lot of the questions out, so that when the minister does come, with the limited time he has, it's going to be fine-tuned. Again, I think my colleague said it: that's a normal procedure. And I don't see why the opposition would try to hold that up, especially for members of the committee who want to have that briefing.
I propose we have a vote on this, because clearly those who don't want to be there don't have to be there, but they don't have to stop the process from going ahead.