Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In May 2022, there were so much hope and expectation in this country. They had just elected a new government and they thought that nirvana was on the horizon. How disappointed they must now be! Buyer beware. They must regret putting in a Labor government.

But, you know, only 32.5 per cent of first preference votes went to Labor. Conversely, 35.7 per cent voted for the coalition. It was one of the worst results for decades for Labor, but yet there they are: sitting opposite, governing this country—and governing this country very badly.

But don't take my word for it; just ask any farmer—the farmers who then have to pay for foreign biosecurity for products to go on the shelves of Australia's supermarkets. Just ask the truckies, who are being burdened with yet another tax. Labor loves taxes!

Government Members:

Government members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Members on my right.

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And then you have the farmers who are having their irrigation water taken away from them. How the hell are we supposed to grow food and fibre when you don't have water flowing down those irrigation channels?

Ask any small-business person—and you've got time. After this week, you can go home and you can walk down your streets and you can ask any small-business person or any householder: 'Are you better off now than what you were before May 2022?' 'No,' will be the answer.

Government members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order. Members on my right, there's far too much noise. The member for Higgins, the member for Boothby, the member for Gilmore and the member for Robertson, interjecting like that is highly disrespectful.