Cathy O'Toole (Herbert, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why don't you get up and answer?

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Whilst I appreciate the Deputy Prime Minister's response—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You will state the point of order!

Cathy O'Toole (Herbert, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

you have not answered one question that I asked.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Deputy Prime Minister's time has concluded.

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Hunter will resume his seat. The call is on this side.

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am seeking leave—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am, Mr Speaker.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Okay. Proceed.

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Hunter will resume his seat. The member for Barker.