Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

They go on about the school halls program, but they turn up to the openings.

Senator Mason interjecting—

Senator, your local members do. Even Mr Pyne, your education spokesman, comes. Mr Randall comes.

Honourable senators interjecting—

I enjoy meeting them when they get to learn about the tremendous value of the investment we made not only in protecting jobs but in improving the schools of our country. I have not heard one of them get up at those assemblies and say, 'We oppose this investment.' They are silent. I wait for it. I wait for them to say, 'Oh no, we think this is a waste of money.' They do not say that. I have my photo taken now with local members pleased to be associated: 'Here I am cuddling up to the minister and the principal so I can be in the local paper!' But they come in here and say, 'What a terrible waste.' What hypocrites.