Ellie Whiteaker (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

just absolute rubbish that we've heard from Senator Roberts. Is it wilful ignorance, blissful ignorance or wilful misinformation? Are they living on a completely different planet, or perhaps, I wonder, have they just spent a little bit too much time on Gina Rinehart's private jet? But, you know, the reason One Nation goes on about this stuff is that they want to distract Australians from what's really going on.

So here's the thing. On 1 January 2026, Labor introduced a cash acceptance mandate, which means that fuel stations and grocery stores have to accept cash for in-person transactions of up to $500 between the hours of 7am and 9 pm. Until we introduced this mandate, there was no obligation on businesses to accept cash in Australia—no obligation. But now there is—thanks to Labor; thanks to our government—because we know that cash still plays an important role in our economy. Done. Problem solved. You're welcome.

So what exactly is it that Senator Roberts and his colleagues are outraged about? Genuinely, I would love to know. But this is what they do: they twist words; they target Australians who are doing it tough; they manufacture outrage out of thin air; they want to make people angry. And it's like they think: 'Oh, we've won a couple of lower house seats in South Australia,' and suddenly they're ready to run the country! I mean, mate, give me a break! What they continue to demonstrate in this place is that they are not up to the job of making the serious decisions that Australians need. The coalition breaks up and makes up all the time. I can't imagine the chaos of adding a third party to that dysfunctional marriage. It won't end well.

One Nation clearly love cash. They've made that pretty clear. Don't get me wrong—they love money; they love gifts. If you read the news, you would have seen that Senator Hanson has spent a bit of time on the private jet of Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, but she's forgotten about it. Don't get me wrong; I love a girl's trip. But I'm not sure I'd be jumping on Gina's jet anytime soon, and, if I did, I reckon I'd probably remember it. When asked whether she'd received free flights from Australia's richest person, Senator Hanson said she couldn't remember. I mean, can you imagine?

Let's have a look back at the travel diary. Where in the world has Senator Hanson been on Gina Rinehart's private jet? Florida—lovely and sunny. I hear it's a lovely place to retire, Senator Hanson. I'm sure plenty of people might love your act over there, but they do have alligators, not crocodiles, just so you know. What did Senator Hanson get up to in sunny Florida? Well, she spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference, partied with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago and stayed in Rinehart's Palm—