Gavan O'Connor (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries) Share this | Hansard source

We have seen the betrayal of the National Party on the United States free trade agreement, when the National Party and the Liberal Party dumped the sugar producers of this nation. We have seen the betrayal on the mandatory retail grocery code of conduct. We have seen the betrayal of working people in regional and country areas, farmers included, in the government’s draconian Work Choices legislation. We have seen the betrayal of country people and wheat growers over the AWB scandal, which is now rocking rural industry in this country. And now we have this. Now we have this shoddy piece of legislation, as the lickspittlers and the toe-suckers in the coalition mosey on up to the media barons of this country, leaving behind the great democratic traditions and practices that we have enjoyed in over a century of Federation.

In conclusion, I must say that I am absolutely staggered by the position of the Family First senator on this legislation. What a bitter disappointment this senator has been on this particular piece of legislation. I have watched Senator Fielding and his attitude on many issues. I have to say that I was encouraged by the views that he was taking and his independence on a whole range of social issues, where he was looking coolly at the propositions before him and was being suitably horrified at their import as far as their implications for the people of Australia were concerned. I think the key question for Senator Fielding is: why have you caved in as a Family First senator on a piece of legislation that the families of Australia certainly cannot rely on to maintain media diversity in this country? I am bitterly disappointed, and so will be the Family First members and people in the Geelong region who have supported the philosophies of Senator Fielding in this place.

See this speech in context