Scott Buchholz (Wright, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

They do, they like us! I am assuming that your constituents like you on that side—through you, Mr Deputy Speaker.

But when the Australian public speaks about politicians collectively, they no longer adopt the position of liking us personally. They see us collectively as untrustworthy—noses in the trough. It is a reality, and for us to change the perception of the Australian public goes to the heart of how we debate in this chamber. No doubt, the Labor Party come into this chamber, hands on their hearts, and deliver the lines they are given wholeheartedly—as we do. It is moments like this though, through the MPIs, where you can stand and actually debate a topic that you feel passionately about. Today, the topic put up by Labor is 'the government's incompetent handling of its unfair budget'.

We heard one of our speakers today talk about two stages of incompetence. There are four stages of incompetence: there is unconscious competence, conscious competence, conscious incompetence and unconscious incompetence. I do not suggest that those on the other side may have heard of those, but, nevertheless, there is a hierarchal structure of competence and incompetence. I want to remind the House that up in the gallery today we are joined by some principals.

Mr Hill interjecting—

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