Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senators Chisholm, Watt and Green, I move:

That the Senate notes—

(a) the decision by the Liberal National Party in Queensland to preference the Greens in the state seat of South Brisbane; and

(b) with concern:

  (i) that this decision increases the chances of a minority government in Queensland, and

  (ii) the Greens policies would do great economic damage to Queensland at a time when every job is vital as we look to recover from COVID-19.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If the Australian Labor Party want to talk about economic vandalism, they should look at their own record. Former Deputy Premier Jackie Trad gave Queensland the highest unemployment rate in the nation, the highest number of bankruptcies and the worst business confidence in a decade—all before coronavirus too, I might add. Labor have preferenced the Greens ahead of other candidates in every election. If the ALP are so offended by the Greens, they shouldn't accept their preferences at all. The government also look forward to hearing about the Labor Party preferencing the LNP ahead of the Greens in all 93 seats in the Queensland election. Queenslanders have had enough of former Deputy Premier Jackie Trad's deal. She and her government have got to go.

Senator Watt interjecting—

Senator Canavan interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senators Watt and Canavan!

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Only a government led by Deb Frecklington will rebuild Queensland's economy—

Senator Watt interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Count to 10!

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and create secure jobs for Queenslanders that they desperately need and that Labor won't deliver.

Senator Watt interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Watt, I remind you of my rule that you have to count to 10 before you are disorderly again.

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Whatever the LNP decide to recommend to their voters about preferences has nothing to do with the Greens, and the Queensland Greens said publicly weeks ago that we would suggest voters put the LNP last along with One Nation. The fact that the Labor Party have chosen to use their time in the Senate today in this way shows just how worried they are about the growing Green movement in Queensland—and well they should be, given the secret royalties deal they just did with Adani. They raised jobs. In Queensland, our plan to revive manufacturing, including building publicly owned renewables and public housing, would create tens of thousands of jobs. Meanwhile, Queensland Labor's plan for the Queensland economy is to freeze teachers' and nurses' wages while giving mining companies a royalties holiday. That is why people are voting Green.

Senator Watt interjecting—

Senator Ayres interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Watt and Senator Ayres! I will call Senator Hanson, who is seeking the call, when I have an opportunity to hear what she seeks to say.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can't believe what I'm reading here: a submission by the Labor Party saying the Greens' policies would do great economic damage to Queensland at a time when every job is vital. They do great economic damage all the time, regardless of whether COVID-19 is around or not, yet they swap preferences every time. It doesn't matter what election, state or federal; they swap their preferences every time.

Senator Watt interjecting—

Yes, you are right, Senator Watt, because it does increase the chances of a minority government in Queensland. So here we could end up with a Labor-Greens government. You're bad enough by yourselves, with the Labor Party's destruction of Queensland, but put the two together—my God! Heaven help Queensland if we actually end up with a Greens-Labor government. It will be the Greens setting the agenda. I don't know what I'm going to do here. I don't know which one to support—you or the Liberal Party. You've confused me. (Time expired)

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 784 be agreed to.