Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

The AWU Queensland secretary, Ben Swan, said:

Our full support and full weight is behind this development if it means regional jobs are created.

The AWU's South Australian secretary, Peter Lamps, said:

It is not unreasonable for the taxpayer, where taxpayers' dollars are used, to support an industry. I think that has been demonstrated … by previous federal governments.

The member for Hunter, back in 2012 when he was talking about government involvement, said:

I am eternally grateful to the government for providing the equity required to allow the Australian Rail Track Corporation to invest $1.2 billion in the upgrade of the coal chain going to Newcastle. It means getting more coal to the Port of Newcastle more quickly and more efficiently. That is fantastic news for the Hunter's economy.

We stand by the miners of Central Queensland. We stand by the steelworkers of Whyalla. We believe absolutely in their right—and we know the Labor Party is torn. They are torn by the green movement, who are now driving their policy, and they are torn by the fact that they no longer stand up for labourers. They will no longer stand up for working men and women. They have turned their backs on the working men and women of Australia.

Opposition members interjecting—

I will take the interjection. The inference drawn by the member for Maribyrnong in front of a full press gallery this morning, a very competent fourth estate—not one of them drew that inference. Not one of them drew the extent and the exaggeration that the member for Maribyrnong has now placed on the record. I think that is disgraceful, what the member for Maribyrnong did. It is absolutely disgraceful, because that extension, that exaggeration, brought into play something that was never there. If it was there, the member for Maribyrnong would turn around and at least show his face, but of course the member for Maribyrnong will not, because the member for Maribyrnong has changed since then. Once upon a time he supported miners; now he no longer does.

Ms Rishworth interjecting—

Ms Husar interjecting—

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