Bob Katter (Kennedy, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Listening to the drivel coming out of him, I do not think anyone else in this parliament would want to listen to it, but could he just give us a go.

We have only one great development available to us in this country: the Galilee Basin. Half of Australia's coal reserves—coal, which has carried the economy of this country for the past 60 years—are in the Galilee, and we need a rail line into the Galilee. The state government in Queensland have dragged the chain and thrown up hurdle after hurdle. Last week—and I hope the Prime Minister is taking notice because I know he has been very positive towards the project—the state government rolled over, which we bless them for, and said they were backing the Galilee and opening up at Adani. That decision was taken because of the CFMEU—because they are fighting for jobs for their people.

Mr Littleproud interjecting—

This fellow over here in the chequered tie is laughing. He thinks it is funny that someone went out there and fought like a dog to get 20,000 jobs created. He thinks that is the subject of humour. Well, people can pass their own judgement upon him.

It must be recalled in this place that in the Latham-Howard election the person who held Howard's arm up and told every trade unionist in this country to vote for the Liberals was in fact the now president of this union. Unlike you, he does not have closed-minded prejudices. He does the right thing by the people he is being paid to look after. I pay tribute to him and I am proud to be associated with him. (Time expired)

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