Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Conroy, at the end of this process it will not be me who will be so described, it will be you. Just remember the epitaph on your political grave after we have to pay back that $50 billion that you are squandering with your silly NBN process that you dreamt up on the back of a coaster in some aeroplane at the back of Woop Woop.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Yes, absolutely. I return, if I may, to the issue of the mining tax. As I said, the coalition will be opposing this legislation and all the legislation associated with it. If there is anything to do with success, anything to do with Australians getting ahead, this government will tax them. The government is not interested in Australian families working hard to get ahead for themselves and for their children. The government is only interested in taxing Australians. As I have said, Australian mining companies pay company tax and state royalties but now they will be slugged by yet another impost. The failure to consult properly has now resulted in a piece of legislation that is so complex that it will be so difficult to navigate, not just for the big companies but also for smaller companies.

On constitutional validity, what are the issues about discrimination between states? Has this government got legal advice about this legislation? They are prepared to ridicule people like Clive Palmer who has indicated that—