Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I know—to disappoint Senator Henderson! It's not because it's a bad amendment but because we felt that, in terms of this Labor bill which is before us, there would be a better time to deal with the good proposals by Senator Henderson—something that I think we would certainly like to advance as part of a policy down the track.

To that end, we have indicated, as I said in my second reading contribution, that we will not stand in the way of this legislation. Despite the claims the minister makes, we remain concerned about elements of it, especially around the suggestion that the world is all peachy now and that, because of this legislation, the world for young people—students who might be encumbered with debt—is much better. We hear claims that they've fixed inflation as if it's a permanent and ongoing arrangement. Things might be better now, but there are things beyond this government's control which have an impact on these arrangements—to the points made by Senator Henderson.

So, while we won't be supporting the amendment before us today, we do say that there are elements of it which do carry merit. I commend Senator Henderson for bringing forward amendments for discussion. The good thing about the coalition is that I work with colleagues who have minds of their own. They think. It may not be a bunch of automatons doing what they're told by their leader. We can do our own thing. It's great to have robust debate. It's great to have different opinions expressed, and that's something I will always welcome from my colleagues. Yes, it might make a bit more work from time to time, but I'm up for that. That's why we're here—to actually have a free flow of ideas and a frank exchange of views. I accept the points that Senator Henderson has made, but I don't accept some commentary provided by the minister around what this does in terms of fixing everyone's problems once and for all and the world being a better place because of this. It goes some way and costs a lot. It doesn't change things.

We've had two days of churlish political pointscoring in question time in relation to this stuff. I would say to Minister Walsh: take a page out of Minister Clare's book when it comes to being bipartisan. That's a minister who's shown us how government can work with opposition. He's been forward leaning, he's been proactive and he's been professional. He hasn't sought to score political points on this or other matters, and I welcome that. I think that's what Australians want from leaders, which is why I find it baffling that you're here progressing this legislation, we've got very serious issues on the cards when it comes to this portfolio, especially in the early learning space, and we spend time in question time scoring political points. I just don't understand how that is what a leader should do in this debate when young Australians, including those who frequent the galleries upstairs, look down on us and see what we're doing, be it in question time or at other points in the debate. I welcome Minister Clare's bipartisanship on a range of education measures. As stated, we're not going to stand in the way of government delivering some relief to young Australians, but we would certainly welcome an increased approach to bipartisanship on matters that affect all Australians, including young Australians who are embarking upon higher education and who bear costs as a result.

As stated, we won't be supporting the amendment, but I thank Senator Henderson for her efforts in this. I look forward to working with her in the future on anything we may do.