Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to talk about the uncertainty that is being created by this government in the handling of the Roy Hill enterprise migration agreement. I believe this is another classic example of just how divided and dysfunctional this government is. We like the EMA. We like the thought that 8,000 new jobs will be created in Western Australia. We like the fact that $9.5 billion is going to be created. Keep in mind, Mr Deputy Speaker, that I come from a very robust area in Central Queensland, where we have $70 billion worth of gas projects going on at this stage. We are bringing in workers on 457s from Ireland, New Zealand and many other countries in the world, including Germany, France and England, so we are well used to having overseas workers doing jobs in our state of Queensland.

But a lot of these projects that are on the drawing board are exactly that—on the drawing board. They cannot wait until our side of the House gets into government so that we can rid of this noxious carbon tax and the MRRT. They know that we are only around the corner from being in government, and they have put just about everything on hold and are waiting for the next 12 months until they go.

Mr Lyons interjecting—

Do you know what? The way you blokes are going, it might not even be 12 months. Keep in mind that we did not cause the mischief over this EMA; it was you blokes yourselves who caused it.

Government members interjecting—

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