Barry Haase (Kalgoorlie, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Transport) Share this | Hansard source

No, I do not believe this is a joke. I reject the mere insinuation by the member opposite—the member for Leichhardt—that I may think it is a joke. I have a responsibility for the Ord Valley, and the ever-increasing acreage of the Ord Valley, and the Gascoyne River plantation area, which has some of the finest bananas grown in Australia. This area is the origin of the lunchbox banana and the Sweeter Banana Company. How would I, Member for Leichhardt, consider taking this as a joke? What I am confronted with is a situation where there is a very strong likelihood that, under this government, including the member for Leichhardt, our internationally recognised green image is going to be destroyed; and that is no joke. The reason it may be destroyed is that you are going to make platitudes about the necessity of free trade and you are going to assume the position that you are all righteous in this matter, and I do not believe you have that righteousness.

See this speech in context