Andrew Wilkie (Denison, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

One of the reasons the broad community treats politicians with complete and utter contempt is that they are sick of all this mudslinging and abuse in places like this. I sat here quietly and I showed respect to the two government speakers. I would ask that they do the same to me and then maybe the community will treat us with more respect.

So, what is needed? It is quite simply an effective subsidy arrangement for all people, vehicle and freight in and out of the state. That will take leadership. I understand that the government has an ideological position—it wants to reduce the cost of business. That is what I want to do as well. The government also has an opposition towards organised labour and opposition to the unions. What I ask the government to do is show some really strong leadership here and put the ideological battle off to the side and act in the public interest.

We have talked a lot about these firms and the difficulties that they have to endure. Think about Blundstone—it makes gumboots in Moonah in my electorate. Think about the fact that three-quarters of the cost of getting those gumboots to their North American markets is just getting them landed in the port of Melbourne. Deregulating coastal shipping in Australia will do next to nothing to help that company. In fact, the government itself has already, with its two speakers, given a number of examples of Tasmanian businesses who are crippled by the high costs of Bass Strait. You were giving the examples yourself and I have given another example of Blundstone boots. The fact is that the strait is a crippling brake on our economy and, until we can give effective subsidies to bring it into line with transporting goods across a similar distance on the mainland, Tasmanian businesses will be fundamentally disadvantaged.

Remember, if we help the businesses we help the community. Yes it might take a little bit more federal money up front to improve the subsidy arrangements, but I tell you what, members of the government—it will save Canberra money in the long run. The more we boost the economy, the more we do not need other handouts from Canberra.

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