Andrew Leigh (Fenner, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury) Share this | Hansard source

Indeed. The Leader of the Opposition in the House also made the case—surprising many—for multiculturalism. We have seen the resignation of the member for Canning from the front bench after attacking what he called 'muppets'. That was after being attacked by the former leader, Peter Dutton, who said the member for Canning went on strike in the last election and fumbled key policy work. The tearing apart of the coalition is extended to Senator Hume, who, in the discussion between the Liberals and the Nationals, said that, if she joined the Nationals:

I'd have to speak a lot slower and talk about the regions more often …

We on this side understand, represent and care about regional Australia. We don't see people in regional Australia as needing to be attacked in any internal party games.

The battle has become hottest over net zero—that policy so radical that it was made the policy of the Australian government by coal-wielding Prime Minister Scott Morrison, a policy supported by every state and territory in Australia, every major business group and most of our major trading partners. Those who oppose net zero are those like Advance Australia, which has been running campaigns threatening Liberal and National Party members if they don't back net zero. We've heard sensible conservatives such as Matt Kean, say:

… let me say, as the former Liberal Treasurer in the largest economy in the nation, that is a sign they are heading for electoral oblivion. The coalition needs to reflect the mood of the Australian public, which is clearly saying they want strong and decisive action on climate change that is in our national interest …

So if I'm—

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