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

I want to quote what a union official from the Hunter Valley said to me: 'The miners have lost faith in the Labor Party, mate, but the Nats and One Nation did some damage with the IR legislation that went through the parliament'—just to give you authenticity—'If you look after the miners' rights at work and promise you'll fight to the death to keep their mines open, you'll take all Labor's ground.' That is precisely what he said. He was a very respected union official.

The fact of what happened in the Hunter Valley is there for all to see. The Labor Party got about one vote in five, and this is no good. I have listened to the member for Shortland, and I'm glad he's here because I had a bit of a look through his resume. He's the one who says he represents them. The fellow was born in Sydney. He supports the Roosters. He has never done a physical day's work in his life!

Mr Conroy interjecting—

He was a staffer for Anthony Albanese. Of course he's going to be a big supporter of Mr Albanese. He's got his honours degree in economics. He's not a worker. He doesn't support the workers. He's never been a worker.

Honourable members interjecting—

Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I can't hear.

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

He would know nothing about the people he claims to represent. You were flown in from Sydney because you were useless to Sydney.

Pat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're scum.

Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I actually cannot—

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

I can't believe you represent the workers.

Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Cut his mic. I actually cannot hear a word you are saying, okay? I can't hear it because you guys are yelling. I can't hear it because you're screaming. You need to dial it down, be a bit respectful. Get up and finish your last 13 seconds.

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

I note that the member for Shortland called me 'scum' and he has nodded, so he's accepted that. That's a shame because we are here to try and keep these people in a job. We are here to try to look after them. I know that he is sensitive but look what he's done to them.