Jessica Collins (NSW, Liberal Party) | Hansard source

Including today. There were no progressive-leaning entities that were at this inquiry, and it only leads us to the conclusion that this was a religiously motivated witch-hunt.

An honourable senator interjecting—

Well, how else do you see it? Why don't we have the unions come forward? Why is it just one particular—okay, I will give you an example. I spent two weeks on Jerome Laxale's prepoll—the MP for Bennelong. His Labor volunteers, with Labor shirts on, were haranguing me: 'What religion are they? Tell me.' I said, 'What business is it of yours?' They asked, 'What religion?' I said, 'It is absolutely not your right to ask that.' And they persevered, 'They're Brethren, aren't they?' What does it matter? They're there to participate in a democratic process.

And I will say that, in my two weeks, yes, tensions were high—in a two-week prepoll where you have hundreds upon hundreds of people turning up, frustrated with the government, to cast their vote. It was like election day every day. If you want to sort that problem out, shorten prepoll. It's a very easy fix. There's no need to have election day every day for two weeks in a row.

We had a person turn up to our booth who was wielding a knife. They went to three booths in the area wielding a knife, coming at volunteers there to participate in democracy and people there to cast their vote. I'll tell you who it was that protected all of us, all of the constituents. It was the Brethren. And my experience over those two weeks was that they were respectful, and I will take the opportunity to put on the record—it's very interesting that the Greens aren't bothering to listen to this, because this is my evidence and my contribution.

My experience on Jerome Laxale's booth was that there were videos taken that were set up. There was a person who threw themselves in front of a car. I thought that person had fainted. I went to help her. The Brethren came to help—give her food, water, a chair. She tried to blame it on us.

There are other instances that I will not go into today, because I just don't think that's helpful. But I want to put on the record that this inquiry was totally one sided. I seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.