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

I would say that the portents for 2021 in the global political synoptic chart do not tend well. There are so many things on the horizon that could make next year one of the most dangerous years of our political lives—on the back of massive global debts that are now amounting around the world beyond the comprehension of people to even picture, let alone repay. We've seen the first instances of what might be coming our way with a downgrade in both Victoria's and New South Wales's credit ratings. This also, I believe, at a certain stage will put real pressures on our federal credit rating—not that the Labor Party have anything to boast about, because they wanted even more debt.

What it does show though is that we need to make sure that we're completely and utterly adult in how we go forward in delivering an economy that can deal with the challenges that are before us. Shutting down four coal-fired power plants in New South Wales is a very bad way to start. Believing that our greatest challenge is carbon abatement is missing the real game. The real game is going to be making sure that our nation is able to ride through the troubles and traverse the River Styx of economic and political intrigue that will be coming upon us in the next year. I hope that what we see in New South Wales is just one example of something that, like the greyhound issue, can be returned, can be brought back to the same footing.

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

The member's time has concluded. In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.