Barry Haase (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to second, and speak on, the motion. This is a very serious debate, and the decision that the government has taken is very severely and adversely impacting on the lives of struggling Australians now. Northern Australian pastoral leases have one sustainable economic purpose, and that is the breeding of beef cattle for export. There is no abattoir in the area. There is no abattoir from Harvey in Western Australia right around the coast to Rockhampton. There is not one operating abattoir that handles beef cattle for export licence. The argument that this industry should have been shut down on the whim of a number of impressionable Labor members adds weight to the argument that this government has lost its way and no longer represents ordinary hardworking Australians.

We have had so much pap fed to us in this place today by the member for Page that it is almost intolerable, because it proves without doubt the level of her ignorance. It proves without doubt that she is not concerned about animal welfare; she is consumed for union members' welfare.

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