Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in support of the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009. As Senator Nash’s deputy chair, I too travelled around the country listening to a bevy of witnesses and reading a heap of submissions. But before I speak I must admit that I found some of the conversation coming out of Senator Nash very theatrical. I have to say quite clearly that we as a government are more than worried about the opportunity for rural and regional students, and also city students, to have a decent education. But one would think from that performance that Senator Nash is probably lining herself up for a three-cornered contest somewhere. I do not know. I would not have a clue. Crikey! With the way she performed just then, who knows? The Nationals are going through a transition period at the moment. With a fresh young face who is intelligent, a mother and a valuable community member, some of the dinosaurs from the Libs might be a little bit worried. I do not know what is happening in New South Wales. I would not have a clue. I think that, if Senator Nash were to run for Hume, she would make a fantastic candidate and a superior member too. Anyway, that is another point.

With the way Senator Nash kept referring to her esteemed colleague Senator Ronaldson, I was watching Senator Ronaldson and the poor devil was nodding off. He was not agreeing with what she was saying. But on that he can answer for himself.