Russell Broadbent (Monash, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a message for Michael McCormack particularly and for all members of this parliament, in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, who are dealing in their electorates with drought-affected communities. I know you've done a lot on behalf of people who are drought-affected—I know you have—but I can tell you that the people of the coast lands of this Great South Land won't be upset if you find it within your capability to do more on their behalf than we have done so far.

These are people who are suffering at this time in an inordinate way, and we know exactly how they feel. We feel their pain. We understand the longevity of this drought. If this government can push its way through to understanding whether there is more to do on their behalf—to you, Michael, and all who travel with you—in regional electorates then let this be the case. The people of the coast lands of this nation will back you. The people of the cities will back you. They will say: 'Do what you can for these people. Do what you can on their behalf.' It isn't just the lady on Facebook who spoke to Alan Jones; it is all the people out there in our rangelands, in the centres and in the regions that are doing it hard, and if you can find a way to give them more help then you will have the backing of all of the people of the coast lands of this Great South Land, Australia.