Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

The member for Hasluck is correct; Riverina is a long way from Western Australia. But, when the federal government hurts Western Australia, it hurts Australia, and, when Australia's hurting, Riverina is hurting. Now, I am outnumbered here in the chamber. We've got the members for Hasluck, Swan and Pearce and my good mate from Tangney. We've got the Greens leader, the member for Melbourne, just behind me. But I'm going to say a few things in this speech which probably nobody—save for my staff member behind me and maybe you, Deputy Speaker Young, I hope—will agree with.

Labor is very good on politics but not that good on policy. When you look at Western Australia, think of what this government has done to that fine state in not-quite-three years. They've banned live sheep exports. If there is one thing that has hurt—

We're talking Western Australia, Member for Hasluck, and I sat in silence when you made your contribution, so I'd ask you to give me the courtesy and do the same.

See this speech in context