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

I acknowledge the contribution from Senator Joyce. Senator Joyce and I have a lot in common. Some may not think that, but we entered the parliament together and we do enjoy each other's company. Like you, Senator Joyce, I do believe Australia's farmers are getting a pretty rough deal.

I would have to say that, in the seven years that I have been in this building, this would be the crowning achievement of my political career, although Senator Abetz may think it is going nowhere. I can inform all those in the chamber that 30 years of my working life has been dedicated to the improvement of conditions for Australia's owner-drivers and Australia's transport workers. As everyone in this building knows, even though Senator Abetz may not like it for himself, when I rise to talk about road safety and the issues facing Australia's trucking industry and Australia's truckies, unlike Senator Abetz I know what I am talking about. I have been a small business man. I know what it was like for my wife in the early days to be sitting there worried sick because the phone call had not come when I was supposed to be in Fitzroy Crossing, or I may have been supposed to be in Port Hedland that night and the reverse charges phone call did not come on the Telecom box, because I did not have a mobile phone.

I suffer this myself at times. Senator Abetz, you really should be in the chamber and you will get a lesson in what actually happens in Australia's trucking yards and Australia's trucking families. My 21-year-old son, who I am so bloody proud of—I am sorry; I am so damn proud of—is a young Australian truckie. He is 21 years of age and he is busting his backside to get his road train licence so he can start line hauling. He is driving semitrailers around Perth and he carts to the mining companies in Western Australia's north-west. When my son says to me, 'Dad, I'm going to be in Meekatharra tonight at eight o'clock; I'll give you a buzz,' and that phone call does not come through, every parent in this building and every parent listening would appreciate the tightening in my gut when I think, 'Where the hell is he? Is everything all right?'

My father was a truck driver, so I am second generation and my boy is third generation. We have actually had a doctor sneak into the family—I do not know where she came from! When my father was out trucking, carting furniture across the Nullarbor for Gills Transport, I was too young to appreciate the dangers that he went through every fortnight, pedalling that little bucket of nuts and bolts across the paddock. But my mum was not too young. My mum knew darn well what was going on. And we did not even have a telephone.

So I get a little bit annoyed when I hear the tripe from Senator Abetz, when he attacks my credibility on this issue. Was I rude to him, Madam Acting Deputy President? Yes, I was, and you pulled me up—and I tell you what: there is a bit of me burning in my gut wanting to be a lot ruder to him. How dare he treat me like this! But I will carry on the conversation outside, Senator Abetz, and in fact I will throw another challenge to you. Your mate Mr Truss would not take up the challenge: challenge me to a debate on road safety and the link between road safety, remuneration and fatigue and our truckies getting home each night to their families. Let us take the fight out there, Senator Abetz. Come on out, mate! You pick the states; you pick the trucking yards!