Allegra Spender (Wentworth, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to thank the minister for the engagement around this debate. I particularly would like to thank the minister and the crossbench, both here and in the other place, for engaging constructively on this issue.

I'd stepped out of question time for a little bit of time today to talk to some kids, and they asked me: 'What are you going to do about the environment?' and I said that I was going to come back here and vote for this bill. I am proud that my efforts and the efforts of the crossbench, here and in the other place, made a difference to the legislation—made it better for Australian businesses, for the environment movement and for our future.

My message is to the coalition: if you would like my seat back, then you should vote for it. If you would like her seat back, or hers, or hers, or hers, or hers, or hers, then vote for it—and also elect some women—because the business community backs this, the environmental community backs this, the Australian community backs this and the Wentworth community backs this.

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