Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Hansard source

The public displays of hate, the violence and the trumpeting of division that we saw on the weekend are not the values Australians hold dear. As public office holders, we have an important role to play in promoting social cohesion. But the coalition are, once again, trying to divide us for their political gain. Just like they've always done, when they run out of solutions they run towards division, dancing to the tune of Senator Hanson and One Nation, rather than backing a strong, unified, modern Australia. All week, we've seen coalition senators falling over themselves to get into the media and blame migrants for housing shortages the coalition oversaw. And, of course, it led to yesterday's interview on the ABC by Senator Nampijinpa Price, someone the Liberals were so desperate to poach from the Nationals and who made a terrible smear on the Indian Australian community. That community makes a huge contribution to our country, and it's one that our side of parliament is incredibly proud of. Senator Nampijinpa Price and the Leader of the Opposition should apologise for these offensive remarks. (Time expired)