Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted by someone who is not even on the speakers list from that side—a Queensland senator, I must add—it will be politicised. Unfortunately, that will be their nature because there is a state election going on in Queensland. They will not be able to help themselves. They will find an opportunity to attack not only the Queensland government but also the fine women and men who are helping in the clean-up situation they are facing there. I will let everyone else make that decision when they hear those on the opposition benches trying to politicise this very dire situation that we have in Queensland. I do want to clarify one thing for you, Senator Brown. You talked about buckets and shovels—I made some quick notes on a piece of paper. You also went on to talk about specialised machinery, which I am glad—