Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Hansard source

No, you knew at the time. You agreed with the Labor Party to do a deal and sell out regional Australia. I do not know how you have the gall to come in here today and do what you are doing—I really do not. You should not have signed the deal. You should have stuck up for regional Australians right then and there rather than now. It is an absolute joke.

As I made clear in the speech that I gave on this issue a few months ago, when it comes to income support for getting our kids to university, we should be doing more, not less. I really believe that a clever nation will make it easier for its kids to get to university, but unfortunately this government took from some and gave to others. They may think that is right. I think we should have been doing more than the government are doing. Yes, there may be $300 million attached to this particular legislation, but I think it is important that, as a clever nation, we make sure that we get our kids to university and do not make it harder for them. Family First is the only party that has been consistent on this issue, and we will be supporting this motion.