House debates Questions without Notice
Workplace Relations
Cathy O'Toole Herbert, Australian Labor Party
2:34 pm
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. Analysis by PwC, reported in The Australian, shows wages in regional Australia have grown three times more slowly than in major cities. Given regional workers are already doing it tough, why is the Deputy Prime Minister supporting pay cuts for regional Australians, including up to 13,000 retail, accommodation and food services workers in the electorate of Dawson and up to 16,000 in the electorate of Leichhardt?
Warren Snowdon Lingiari, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for External Territories
Why don't you get up and answer?
Tony Smith Speaker
I remind the member for Lingiari he has already been warned. He was warned earlier in the day during the suspension, just in case he has forgotten.
Barnaby Joyce New England, National Party, Leader of the Nationals
2:35 pm
I thank the honourable member for her question, and I must say it verges on the perverse. Here is the Australian Labor Party, the party that is going to rip the heart out of the dams policy, taking away the money that actually brings about regional jobs and brings about regional growth. The Australian Labor Party has no belief in regional development. The Australian Labor Party did nothing about the construction of the inland rail. The Australian Labor Party stands against decentralisation. In fact, it was the Australian Labor Party that moved for a Senate inquiry to stop the decentralisation of APVMA out of Canberra to a regional area to provide regional jobs. The Australian Labor Party has done nothing for regional work. The Australian Labor Party have their 100 positive policies. They did not have one for the agricultural industry. I see the member for Lingiari looking at me—what is the Australian Labor Party going to do for—
Tony Smith Speaker
The Deputy Prime Minister will resume his seat.
Ms O'Toole interjecting—
I have not called the member for Herbert yet. I am just slowing things down a bit. The member for Herbert on a point of order.
Cathy O'Toole Herbert, Australian Labor Party
Whilst I appreciate the Deputy Prime Minister's response—
Cathy O'Toole Herbert, Australian Labor Party
you have not answered one question that I asked.
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Herbert will resume her seat. That is a frivolous point of order. At no point did she state the point of order. The Deputy Prime Minister has the call.
Barnaby Joyce New England, National Party, Leader of the Nationals
I note that in the member for Herbert's electorate—we are right next to it—we are trying to get Hell's Gate Dam built. And what has she done to support us on that? What has she done to support the construction of Hell's Gate Dam? The member for Herbert should hang her head in shame because she is letting down the people of Townsville. She has never stood up for Hell's Gate Dam. She has never stood up for the economic growth of Townsville. You have not stood up for it. You are standing in a party that wants to take away the money—
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Hunter will resume his seat. The call is on this side.
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
I am seeking leave—
Tony Smith Speaker
You are not doing anything. I have not given you the call. You are hoping. Is the member for Hunter seeking leave?
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
I am, Mr Speaker.
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
I am seeking leave to table the Australian Labor Party's agriculture policy, part of the 100 policies the Labor Party took to the last—
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Hunter will resume his seat. The member for Barker.