Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

I am referring to the motion before the House. It is whether standing orders should be suspended. Be very clear: that is the motion before the House. The reason why this is occurring is that this is a distraction from a party and a coalition at war with itself—unclear about what it stands for. If you look at the debate that is going on on their side of the House—on this side of the House you see 117 years of proud tradition and history—they do not even know what their political party will stand for. The member for Hinkler over there made a contribution to Barnaby Joyce’s suggestion. It was this:

It’s a good idea from Barnaby, with one proviso: that you get the best three names and present them to marketing experts.

We think, as Labor members, that ‘Labor’ reflects what we stand for. We know ‘Liberal’ does not reflect what they stand for. We know that ‘National’ does not reflect what they stand for. So what name would they come up with? ‘Tail Waggers’ has already been taken by the pet food company up on the north coast that does not produce any pet food. It is extraordinary that, as one of the two big parties in this nation, they have been reduced to this sort of activity. They have even proposed a prize. Senator Joyce said:

There would have to be a prize, but I’m not sure what it would be. It would have to be something of relevance.

See this speech in context