Nova Peris (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The government throws a tantrum, and what do the Greens and Mr Xenophon do? They behave like little millennials and chase after the latest, the newest shiny bauble on the market they desire, simply overcoming any form of reason.

Finally, we see the true colours of the so-called Greens, supposedly the colour of nature and harmony. It should be noted the colour green also denotes a lack of experience, someone who is considered green is a novice, new to the job, and inexperienced. A dull, darker green is commonly associated with money, the financial world and banking. Dark green is associated with ambition, greed and jealousy. Yellow-green can indicate sickness, cowardice, discord and jealousy. So what shade of green are the Greens? I ask. Perhaps they are so indecisive between dark green and yellow-green. I do not know. Take your pick. Perhaps we should have another meaning for the colour green: opportunism, because that is what the Greens are—opportunistic carpetbaggers who would rather lead the Australian people down a not-so-green garden path in favour of political bastardry.

What do the Greens now stand for? What are they offering their supporters, who believe that they stand for an alternative point of view from the major parties? Where does this bill now leave them? Are the Greens now telling them to vote for the conservative coalition forces or to vote for the dark side? Is Senator Di Natale the new Darth Vader? The question is: are the Greens still offering an alternative view? I think not.

In fact, the Greens have not been green since their last leadership change. Poor Bob Brown, the principal Greens visionary whose leadership enabled the current Green members to get this far—I wonder what he makes of his party now? Has anyone asked him, or cared about asking him? What about Christine Milne, who succeeded Bob Brown as the Greens leader? Has anybody asked her what she thinks? Do the two most experienced and, I should say, respected leaders that they have ever had support the stance that the Greens have taken?

What about Greens party members around the country? What have they told them? I do not know—I get plenty of messages—