This was published 11 years ago
And so, for another fortnight, goodbye.
Let's look back on the day:
One person who has been a consistent opponent of data retention is Greens Senator Scott Ludlam.
Senator Ludlam says the legislation "is an outrageous attack on Australians' fundamental right to privacy and does not represent a proportionate response to the needs of law enforcement authorities".
"The bill contains no description of the metadata it is seeking to access, and no details about the cost of this unwelcome new surveillance tax."
Senator Ludlam also warned the legislation, if it became law, would threaten journalists' ability to protect their sources and discourage whistleblowers from coming forward.
Let me now return to the other two big stories of the day - the government's deal on its Direct Action climate policy - and data retention.
The climate compromise legislation will be debated and voted on in the Senate tonight. My best information as to when that will be is about 10pm should you care to stay up and watch the vote.
The government has the numbers to get the legislation passed so unless something goes drastically pear shaped that is what will happen.
The Sydney Morning Herald's environment editor, Peter Hannam, explains the nuts and bolts of the government's climate policy in this piece.
Senator Peris is embraced by colleague Kate Lundy after her statement.
Political reporter Latika Bourke's story on the powerful speech can be read here.
The video of Senator Peris's speech can be seen here.
Senator Peris, who spoke in an angry and emotional tone, said she was deeply saddened that many issues deserved such widespread media attention - such as a report released last night that showed the number of indigenous children being removed from the care of their parents - but were being neglected.
She finished by saying: "Each day the sun will set. It will rise again tomorrow. Today is just one of those days."
Senator Peris says the "aggrieved party" in the dispute contacted her earlier this month saying they were in possession of emails and threatened her that their release would cause "major trauma".
The party had tried to obtain money from her in return for the emails, Senator Peris says.
When that failed, Senator Peris says, the party turned to News Corp which was made aware of the circumstances behind the emails.
"I categorically reject any wrong doing," Senator Peris says.
"It pains me to have to talk about my private life."
She says it is part of a long running child access and financial dispute.
"I have always put my children first and will continue to do so."
Athletics Australia cleared her of any wrongdoing, Senator Peris says, as has the Australian Sports Commission.
Senator Peris says the reports concern a time she was separated from her then husband Daniel Batman.
Senator Peris says she no longer has the emails and cannot confirm their veracity. She is concerned about how News Corp obtained the emails.
"The views attributed to me over the past few days...certainly don't reflect my views. They don't reflect my values."