Tony Pasin (Barker, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If there's one definable difference between the two sides of this chamber, it's this. On this side of the chamber, we get regional communities and we understand agriculture. In contrast, it's becoming blindingly obvious that Labor doesn't value the economic or social contribution that regional communities make to our nation. Full disclosure—I was born in a regional community. I grew up on the family farm, and I've drenched my fair share of sheep. So I know what blood, sweat and tears go into the work they do. I find it utterly insulting that those opposite can't treat our farmers and our regional communities with the respect they need. Banning a sustainable, profitable and ethical live sheep export industry for me is crossing the line. I for one won't stand for it. What's next? I dread to think. It's quite evident that the Albanese Labor government is more about playing the politics of inner-city votes than the long-term sustainability of growing our regions. It's little wonder that confidence in the federal government has collapsed amongst the ag sector, with now just one in 10 farmers saying Canberra is listening to them and has a positive plan for their future. So today I joined in calls from others to ask those opposite to start listening. It would have been a good start to send the Prime Minister out the front of the building today.

An incident having occurred in the gallery—

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

Members of the gallery, you don't get to participate in our discussions here.