Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

The senator opposite asked, 'Where did you get those figures from?' He is going to find out in the next day or two. All I am saying is that at the moment an exercise in simply asking the average Australian—and this includes Liberal and National Party voters—shows people do not want to have their money given to the polluters. They want the polluters to be taxed to help them deal with the problem of the onrush of climate change.

What we see in the chamber today from the coalition is bad behaviour, interruption and trying to shout down a reasoned argument. I listened to the coalition senator in complete silence. It is part of the way in which politics is working at the moment. We have to accept that. We have negativity from the coalition and a refusal to enter into reasoned debate or to have the proper forms of debate which enhance a democracy. These forms are being eroded by this opposition, which does not stand for proper, decent public debate. But that is the position the Greens have taken.

Senator Nash said I indicated on Monday that we would move to take over the Labor Party. I have never made such a statement. The fact that that was a headline on Saturday in the Weekend Australian is a testimony to the ability of the Australian to lie on its front page.