Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The sheer hypocrisy of this MPI. All this MPI succeeds in doing is highlighting the double standards shown by the opposition when it comes to deciding what is deemed worthy in regards to sacking someone. The nerve of those opposite to talk about witness protection programs. Let's talk about your witness protection programs.

We have all heard of Craig Thomson, who is currently awaiting sentencing for fraud with 65 convictions. We talk about 'loose lips sink ships'. Craig Thompson is a classic example of 'those in glass houses should not throw stones'. What about Peter Slipper? Those opposite in the Labor Party supported someone who forged documents to line his own pockets, effectively stealing from taxpayers. What did those opposite do? They did the same thing they did for Craig Thomson—they defended him at every opportunity.

When it comes to sacking people, Bill Shorten, the Leader of the Opposition, has been very keen to sack people. He stabbed in the back poor Julia and he stabbed in the back poor Kevin. I have never seen a union hack so keen on the idea of unfair dismissal. What a wonderful example the former member for Dobell and the opposition have set for the hypocrisy of today's MPI subject.

This MPI is also a chance to highlight the lack of interest shown in Defence by the opposition when previously in government. No investment in Defence spelt 1.56 per cent of the GDP. The year 2012-13 was the lowest level of Defence funding since 1938. I would like to point out which Prime Minister was in charge during this disgusting abandonment of our Defence portfolio but it is just too confusing because during the time of the chaos there were two Prime Ministers, three Deputy Prime Minister's—the list goes on.

But we are all aware that on the opposition's watch the 10.5 per cent cut in the 2012-13 budget was the biggest since the Korean conflict. And another example of the opposition's refusal to sack a member of their party would be their highly unsuccessful border protection policies. Was the Minister for Immigration sacked when on his watch more than 50,000 illegals arrived and more than 800 boats? Were moves made to sack any member of the opposition when Labor's failed border protection policies caused a budget blow-out of $11 billion? What about when tragically 1,100 drownings occurred at sea on Labor's watch? The list goes on and on.

Another fine example of the hypocrisy of calling for the sack of our hard-working minister—and I will name him, David Johnston—is the opposition's failure to make decisions. Six years is how long the opposition failed to make a decision on the protection capability of our country. And that is as long as it takes for a student to go from year 7 to year 12 in high school. This was six years of jobs uncertainty, six years of empty promises and Defence spending cuts. Perhaps the opposition should look at its own failures and mess before trying to create make-believe stories about issues and policy they obviously know nothing about, proven by their failures during their time in government. But luckily for the Australian people, the Abbott government takes Defence and national security seriously. More importantly, Australian people now have a Minister for Defence—and I will name him again, David Johnston—who understands how critical a strong Defence Force is for our nation.

Instead of sitting around twiddling thumbs and staring at ageing ships in need of replacement, we are taking steps to ensure our Navy is properly equipped and providing the Australian shipbuilding industry with a long-term strategic direction it lacked during the years under Labor's rule. Instead of stripping nearly $20 billion out of the future submarine program, we are concentrating on an affordable and deliverable plan to ensure that the huge national investment in a viable defence capability is done properly. The coalition is ensuring that Australia has the military capability to deter threats and to protect our forces in our neighbourhood.

The vital need for a strong credible Defence approach is even more important to me since observing Operation Resolute earlier this year. It was there that I witnessed first-hand the outstanding job that our men and women do in our armed services. Having observed and been part of Operation Resolute, I am in awe of the professionalism, commitment and dedication of the men and women tasked to protect our borders. This is why I am proud to be part of a government which makes the right decisions for the right reasons. (Time expired)

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