Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

I want to make sure that the House is very clear that the projects under this bill actually won't start until 2020, so I think we need to make sure that we are accurate in what we're saying here. I say to the member for Grayndler: with the greatest of respect, no deal has been done in relation to this. I have, in my electorate, very sadly, farmers who are taking their lives, and we do not have the drought that is in Queensland and New South Wales.

I would also like to say with respect to the amendments from the member from Indi that this shows why we have a crossbench. You have a piece of legislation, and we see it as our role to work with the government of the day to make that legislation better. That is something that has happened in the Senate for many, many years. We see that as our role here. Everyone has the right in this House to vote as they please with respect to how their constituents expect them to vote on legislation.

I would like to say that the member for Indi is leaving us in this great place, and it has been a great pleasure to work with her on these amendments. I give great respect to her for the work she's done on this. We do this as a crossbench with very limited resources. Congratulations to the member, and I look forward to this bill proceeding in the House.

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