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

If Mr Angus Taylor is the answer to the opposition's woes, then, really, one would have to wonder what the question was. I think a quote that really summarises the Leader of the Opposition so well is that, in a time when Australia needs strong, visionary leadership, we are confronted with an opposition leader whose credentials are, at best, questionable and, at worst, downright alarming.

Mr Taylor is a Morrison leftover clinging desperately to the old guard while the rest of the country moves forward. Mr Malcolm Turnbull, never shy with his words, once labelled Mr Taylor as the 'best qualified idiot'. But the reality is that Mr Taylor's record as shadow Treasurer is a catalogue of opposition to policies that would make life easier for everyday Australians.

At the last election, while families were under the pump because of cost-of-living pressures, Mr Taylor stood against tax cuts that would have provided much-needed relief. He opposed energy bill relief, and yet those opposite still come in here and talk about what we didn't do around energy bill relief. But they voted against it, leaving households to grapple with the rising costs. He fought against cheaper child care, denying working parents a chance to return to work and contribute to our economy. On superannuation—we've just passed two very good bills—Mr Taylor blocked increases that would have helped Australians retire with dignity and security. When it came to building more homes and affordable housing for Australians, particularly for low-income earners, Mr Taylor resisted efforts to expand housing, leaving many without hope of affordable accommodation.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room—the watergate scandal. Watergate refers to the 2017 controversy involving an $80 million government buyback of water licences from Eastern Australia Agriculture, a company co-founded by Mr Taylor himself. In 2017, the federal government paid them nearly $80 million. Who was in government at that time? It was a Liberal government, of course. Mr Taylor himself was, as I said, a co-founder, and in 2017 the federal government paid nearly $80 million for overland flow licences from two cotton properties in Queensland. This was the highest price ever paid for water under the—

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We have a point of order from Senator Brockman.

Slade Brockman (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I realise you were distracted, Acting Deputy President, which does happen on occasion when one is in the chair, but I believe Senator Polley is breaching standing order 193(3), and I ask her to withdraw.

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Polley, do you wish to withdraw?

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

Actually, I didn't do anything other than place on record—I don't want to repeat it if he's taken offence to it, but I'm reporting the amount of money that was paid to Mr Taylor.

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the point of order, I've been listening very closely to Senator Polley, and again—personal reflection. Senator Polley's speech was laden with innuendo and imputations. I think she should withdraw.

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

If they took offence to it, I withdraw.

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Hang on a moment, please, Senator Polley. I'll just reflect that I didn't hear everything that was said, because I was distracted at the time by consulting with other colleagues. Senator Polley, Senators Scarr and Brockman have made that point. Do you wish to withdraw?

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

I'll withdraw if they took offence.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Polley, I need you to withdraw without caveats.

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

I was going to continue with my speech. I said that I withdraw.

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you.

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

I just reiterate that $80 million to buy overland flow licences from two cotton properties in Queensland was the highest price ever paid for water under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. This is on the public record. This translated into a $52 million profit on the sale, much of which was reportedly transferred to its parent company, Eastern Australia Irrigation, based in the—yes!—Cayman Islands. Sounds dodgy, doesn't it? Certainly does to me. Was there a tender process? Of course there wasn't—

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Scarr on a point of order?

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of exasperation—you asked Senator Polley to withdraw. She graciously withdrew, and yet she continues, in my submission, in the same frame of mind and in the same presentation, impugning a member of the other place. She should withdraw.

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Polley, do you wish to withdraw?

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

I'll withdraw.

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senators, I will endeavour to listen closely. There have been quite a few people wanting to talk to me about the speaking order this evening. I will give the call back to Senator Polley, and then I'll reflect on the speaking order for the remainder of the evening.

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

It is on the public record that there was a profit of some $52 million made from that sale. That is, in my view, not impugning anyone, because it is on public record. I understand if people are concerned that we are to talk about issues that might cause some embarrassment, but the Australia Institute claimed the government paid roughly double the market value for the water. Some argue the water was unreliable.

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Scarr on a point of order?

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, it's a personal reflection. Senator Polley has referred to overseas companies in tax havens. She has talked about amounts being paid other than at market value. She has talked about the member's connection with the corporation. When you consider it in its totality, she is impugning the character of a member of the other place. She should withdraw and discontinue in the same vein.

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Polley, I do ask you to consider whether the contents of your speech have amounted to an adverse personal reflection on a member of the other place and consider withdrawing.

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

If it's going to help you, I will withdraw.

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll accept that withdrawal as a straight withdrawal, Senator Polley.

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

I think what is highlighted in my comments tonight is that, even though those opposite have taken exception to my contribution, the reality is that the Leader of the Opposition doesn't actually reflect the visionary and forward thinking of the leader that this country needs at the moment. The record, both in that other place and in here, clearly shows that the Liberals say one thing and then do something very different. If you were really concerned about the cost-of-living pressure on Australian people, you wouldn't have voted against tax cuts, you wouldn't have voted against cheaper medicines, wouldn't have voted against every—

Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Time has expired. Just for the benefit of senators, as you know there is a speaking order for adjournment tonight. I believe that Senators Brockman and Hodgins-May were in the chamber at the time the adjournment started. Senator Sheldon was as well. I'm in the hands of the chamber as to what they would like to do for the speaking order. If everyone is in agreement, we will revert to the original speaking order. Senator Polley has spoken, but we will go to Senator Sheldon, then Brockman, Hodgins-May, McLachlan, Steele-John, Antic, Canavan and then Kovacic. Are people in the chamber agreeable on that? Alright. Senator Sheldon, you have the call.