Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pursuant to order, I now call Senator Whitten to make his first speech. I ask that senators extend the usual courtesies to the senator.

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

Senators, distinguished guests and fellow Australians, I would like to start by thanking the people of Western Australia for giving me the opportunity to represent them here under the patriotic banner of One Nation. I'm honoured and humbled, and I will stand up for the interests of Western Australians each and every day. Today I rise as not just a newly sworn-in senator but a son, a father, a brother, a husband and a grandfather—and a proud Australian. I'm not ashamed to admit that, up until a matter of weeks ago, I was wearing high-vis workwear and a hard hat on a construction site in my home state of Western Australia.

I want to take you on a journey, my journey, because where I've come from shapes everything I stand for and how I will serve in this chamber. I was born and bred on the Central Coast of New South Wales, in Gosford. My childhood was spent outdoors, boating and kayaking on Narara Creek, riding bikes without helmets, climbing trees, catching cicadas and chasing the last of the daylight. No phones, no internet and no constant supervision—and somehow we survived. There were only two rules: tell mum when you're going to be home, and be home before dark. It was a good life, and I genuinely believe that young people today are poorer for not having lived it.

My parents and grandfather were my greatest influences. Mum and dad worked relentlessly and instilled that same work ethic in their children. Life wasn't easy for mum and dad, especially after Labor's 'recession we had to have', and mum is still working too hard. But, if we needed her, mum was always there with a hug and some advice—and a cuppa and a toasted sandwich to die for. And dad—the hardest-working man I've ever known, a hard man but a fair man, a real man. Let's just say you didn't want to be on the wrong side of his big, hard concrete-stained hands. Some people frown on discipline today. I say it's the reason society is where it is now.

My grandfather Jack Fredrick Harbrow grew up in even harder times. Sadly, his father was deaf and blind from an industrial accident, so at nine years old he delivered milk before school, 365 days a year—at one point, even with broken ribs from a disagreement with the horse that pulled the cart—running from house to house, horse and cart plodding along remotely, with a big ladle called a 'jenny' and a smile, helping to feed his family. My grandpa also served our great nation in the jungles of New Guinea in World War II. He never boasted about it; he said he only threw custard pies. But I knew the truth, and I thank him that he didn't burden my young mind with the details.

He lost his wife, my grandmother, when my mum was eight. A young man just back from the war—a single father with four children. The old saying is that it takes a village to raise a child. Well, the little village of Woy Woy did a great job with mum, my aunt and my two uncles. I carry my grandfather's legacy with pride. From grandpa, I learnt service and sacrifice. From dad, I learnt the value of hard work. From mum, I learnt that love wins out in the end. That's what shaped the lens I view the world through, a world where love, respect, honour and hard work matter; your handshake is your word; and there's nothing more important than your word. I love you, Mum and Dad, and I miss grandpa dearly.

After six years at Gosford High School I entered the workforce. As the eldest son of entrepreneurial parents, I caught the bug. But I didn't come from privilege. My working life has been forged in the construction and oyster-farming industries, industries that demand grit, resilience, real-world experience and a healthy respect for Mother Nature.

Most notably, in 2001, my younger brother and I started a business—originally Whitten Brothers, now the Whittens Group. We began with an old ute, a good work ethic, a can-do attitude and not much else. With the help of many great people along the way, not least our wives and children, who put up with long days and a FIFO life, we grew Whittens to a peak of a thousand employees. And, kids, take note: turnover is not profit. There are no shortcuts. There's blood, a lot of sweat and sometimes tears, and, if you're lucky, a little something left over at the end. We started the business in Port Stephens, just north of Newcastle, doing small domestic jobs. We then moved on to larger commercial projects, and over time we worked all around New South Wales.

In 2007, we were asked to price a small package of work in the north-west of Western Australia—the Pilbara. Once that red dust gets on you, you never get it off. Since that time, we have worked on many iconic iron ore, coal and gas projects all around Australia. This was the start of the mining boom, when opportunity and money flowed freely, so we packed up our families—kids, dogs and horses—and made the big move to the west. In the early days, the real sandgropers called us 'the wise men from the east'. It's funny, but I reckon that I'm more like a sandgroper myself now. I'm no longer a part of Whittens Group, and I wish my brother and his wife every success in the future.

What I took from those two decades was this: integrity matters. I've always seen myself as a capitalist with a conscience. It was never about getting rich at any cost. In fact, it wasn't even about getting rich. I wanted everyone around me to do well, not just me. I would like my legacy to be that I'm remembered as a good man, a fair man, like my dad. I always liked the quote by Marcus Aurelius: 'Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.'

Now to my intent: I was elected by the people of Western Australia to represent them in the Senate, and I will view every decision through the lens of the people who voted for me. I will fight for our families, our values, our livelihoods and our Australian way of life. We all stand here today because generations before us were prepared to, and did, lay down their lives for this great nation. That sacrifice is the essence of Australia. It inspires me to fight for a country worthy of them. We owe them more than remembrance; we owe them courage and conviction.

There are a number of other things that I also care deeply about. One is free speech. I am a free-speech absolutist within the bounds of respect and decency, not censorship and fear. Otherwise, who decides what's acceptable? What law? Whose law? As a famous podcaster says, 'The cure for bad speech is more and better speech.' As the old saying goes, 'Sunlight is the best disinfectant.' We are adults—strong, resourceful men and women. We can think and reason for ourselves. I call on the silent majority: find your voice, but think critically before you speak, and don't confuse noise for wisdom.

And our farmers—they are more than food producers. They are the stewards of our land and sea and champions of our economy. But too often they are crushed by overregulation, unfair trade, political shenanigans and global agendas. Anyone declaring from a private jet that cows are the problem should take a look in the mirror. And sheep—well, the formation of the Labor Party was closely linked to the sheep industry, and now it's the same party turning its back on its foundation. Keep the sheep.

Now to small business. From Albany to Kununurra, from Freo to Kal, small business is the engine room of the economy and this country. They need less red and green tape, lower taxes and a fair go. I salute and support any Aussie that has a crack.

In regional Western Australia, from the Pilbara to the Great Southern, our regions have been neglected. They need services, infrastructure and opportunity—not just handouts and pork-barrelling at election time but a proper fair go.

I intend to be a senator with a long-term vision for our state of Western Australia, not one that views our future in three-year blocks that coincide with each election. To our young Australians: I often hear, 'There's no opportunity anymore; I'll never own a home.' To that I say, 'Try; don't give up.' We must return housing to what it was always meant to be—a right for all Australians, not a speculative prize for foreign buyers, corporations or temporary residents. But remember that your attitude determines your altitude. Michelangelo said:

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.

On crime, we must be tougher on violent offenders, especially those who harm our women and children. The law should be blind to everything except the offence. On science, let me be clear: the science is never settled. Once upon a time, we were told that smoking was good for us, asbestos was safe and DDT was harmless—remember 'safe and effective'? So, when someone says, 'The science is settled,' ask, 'Settled for whom and at what cost?' Real science invites interrogation. Real scientists welcome scrutiny. Only bureaucrats and ideologues fear debate. Speaking of ideology, what lunatic thought it was a good idea to put a wind farm in the middle of a whale-birthing and nursery area? Geographe Bay, in Western Australia, a pristine natural wonder, is now threatened in the name of saving the planet. If your plan to save the planet kills baby whales and requires the clubbing to death of koalas that are in the way, can I suggest that maybe it's not such a good plan? I remember a time when we cared for our wildlife. What happened?

I stand for more freedom and less government. I stand for equality for all Australians. The time of overreach is over. The era of common sense must return because Australia stands at a crossroads. This great ship, our island home, is drifting, and the rudder is not working. To turn this bloody big ship around, we need bold leadership and a return to the principles that built this great nation, not a bridge full of clowns and ideologues steering us towards the rocks. Again, to the good people of Western Australia: thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will never take your trust for granted.

Before I close, I want to thank a few special people who helped shape me. To Tony, Rod and Troy: knowledge is silver, but wisdom is gold. Thank you for the gold. To James Ashby, the dedicated staff and One Nation team, and all the candidates and volunteers: your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed. I'll do my best to make you all proud. To Pauline Hanson: thank you for your courage, your vision and your trust. I stand proudly beside you. By the way, I'd love one of your famous hand-knitted jumpers. I brought a tape measure, if that helps! To my brothers and sister: eat less, live longer. To my four amazing children, their partners and my four beautiful grandchildren: this is for you. Finally, to my wife, Alison, my rock, my princess: I love you to the stars and back. Thank you for the love and unwavering support. This journey would have been impossible without you.

I'd like to leave you with the words of Sir Henry Parkes, the father of Federation:

The crimson thread of kinship runs through us all.