Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia: Will the Deputy Prime Minister outline to the House how the Carmichael mine will generate jobs right across Australia, while protecting the environment? Is he aware of any threats to the jobs of thousands of hardworking Australians and coalminers and steelworkers?

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

I thank the honourable member for his question.

Opposition members: Apologise!

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Deputy Prime Minister will resume his seat. Members on my right!

Mr Bowen interjecting—

The member for McMahon can leave under 94(a).

The member for McMahon then left the chamber.

Brian Mitchell (Lyons, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Apologise for the disgraceful slur, you grub!

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Lyons will leave under 94(a).

A government member: He's got to withdraw.

That is quite correct. He will withdraw first. The member for Lyons will come back to his seat and withdraw.

Brian Mitchell (Lyons, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

The member for Lyons then left the chamber.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Deputy Prime Minister has the call.

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

We know that we support the miners of Central Queensland. Not only that, but we know the member for Maribyrnong supported the miners of Central Queensland when he said:

I support the Adani coal mine so long as it stacks up. I hope it stacks up.

The CFMEU said:

The Adani mine is a project the CFMEU has always backed…

Mr Hill interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Bruce will leave under 94(a).

The member for Bruce then left the chamber.

Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to 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—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Kingston will cease interjecting and is warned. The member for Lindsay has already been warned, so she can leave under 94(a).

The member for Lindsay then left the chamber.