A response to narratives and counter-narratives

ABSTRACT Existing narratives surrounding the failure of the CPRS in 2009 have particularly centred on the nature of ALP negotiations with other parties. The article discusses reasonably effectively the strong bipartisan nature of many of the votes taken within the Senate, and when dissecting the events leading to the defeat of the CPRS Bill seeks to suggest that the often-bipartisan nature of voting is indicative of the normality of negotiations over the CPRS. However, this requires some unpacking, and does not take into account the reality of the vote on the day and the structure of bipartisanship. It also leaves aside the at-times virulent campaign by leading members within the Australian Labor Party and the reality of parliamentary negotiations. I will consider those issues here.