Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government, since we were re-elected in May, have continued to work in the interest of Australians. I want to take this opportunity to highlight some of the things that we've done, building on last term—and that is delivering for working people.

We delivered higher wages for low-income workers. We delivered for aged-care workers. We delivered for people working in disability and, importantly, in the early childhood education sector. And they are about to receive another increase in their salary. We know that's already having a huge impact on the retention of good people working in that sector.

We're managing to deliver on the cost of living. We've reduced the cost of medication. We're building infrastructure in regional Australia and investing in health. We have put almost $800 million into women's health, the most money that's ever been invested in women's health in our history. That's what we're doing, on top of investing in education and housing. And we have now introduced legislation so that we can meet net zero by 2050. We're just waiting on those opposite and the Greens to get onboard.

That is in stark contrast to those opposite, who have been in division. They're dysfunctional. They're not doing themselves any favours. They're an embarrassment to themselves, and they are having an impact on our great democracy, because every good government needs a good opposition. That's part of our democracy. So it's so disappointing to see that they haven't been able to come to terms with the rejection that they had at the last election. They're only interested in talking about themselves. And I know, because it's their tradition, that over Christmas they'll be eating their oysters and caviar and drinking their Dom Perignon while planning the demise of Sussan Ley, the Leader of the Opposition. That's what they'll be doing. I predict they will depose their first female leader before the first half of next year comes to fruition. It's so disappointing.

What is also disappointing is what we experienced in this place this week by Senator Hanson. Her behaviour was absolutely deplorable. Serving in this great chamber, representing the great state of Tasmania, I have never before seen the Senate suspended under those circumstances. We're not children; we're adults. And we are leaders. That's why we've been elected to this place. But, when she was directed to leave the chamber, she refused. If she thinks that this is going to get her more votes and that this is going to raise her profile—I want to quote from two local papers in Tasmania, the great Examiner in Launceston, where I live, and the Advocate. I quote the editorial:

It's a stunt most reasonable Australians would find not only extremely offensive, but completely childish and out of touch.

We expect a higher standard of our political leaders, even those with whom we may broadly disagree on most issues.

Senator Hanson's particular brand of performative protest that is designed to offend is typical of a bully who's clearly suffering from relevance deprivation.

It's tempting to ignore Senator Hanson and her ilk—to write her off as unserious and unthreatening.

But it is also worth noting that Senator Hanson has now been a feature of Australian public life for three decades, and seems to grow even more belligerent as the years go on.

Much as many of us are inclined to scoff at her predictable and childish stunts—there remains a small but devoted slab of the population who agree with every word she says, and possibly even applaud such ill-considered and unsophisticated escapades in the highest echelons of public life.

A reassuring number of federal politicians from all sides were quick to criticise Senator Hanson on Monday for her crassness, bad timing and, it must be said, stunning lack of imagination.

If anything, she reminds us of everything Australia is not, and should aspire to be better than. It's time for a new act, senator.

I think that sums up what the Australian people will take from that but, unfortunately, they will be those young women and young girls that will be bullied and abused because of her comments. Shameful! Shameful!