Lin Thorp (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The point I was trying to get to, Mr Deputy President—and I did note that the comments of some of the senators opposite ranged fairly wide and free, talking about the demise of this government and all sorts of other issues—is the fact that, given the opportunity, the only thing that those on the other side seem to be able to come up with is: 'boat people'. We keep hearing this dreadful language—'illegal boats'; please tell me, Mr Deputy President, if you are able: what is an 'illegal boat'? A boat is a boat; it is not legal or otherwise. That is like saying a car is illegal. These people are refugees; they have the right to come to this country whichever way they will.

I find it absolutely appalling that in the last couple of weeks in this place before we go to an election, when those opposite have an opportunity to really have a go at the government in any one of several important areas—and I did not get around to talking about some of the others, like additions to pensions and support for families, and other good things you could have a go at—can't those opposite up and use that opportunity to say what they would do, should they ever have the privilege of being in government? Don't insult Australians by saying, 'How can we spook the life out of them and frighten them? We will talk about all these Muslims coming in illegal boats and frighten the life out of people.' It is absolutely disgraceful. Is that the best they can do? I would like to finish with a little quote from Robert Macklin, in Opinion:

That’s summed up this week in a memorable phrase from New York Times columnist Frank Bruni: ‘The sideshow swallows the substance'.—

And that is what we have going on here: the sideshow swallowing the substance—

Policies are ignored. Instead, the ‘news’ all about fripperies, trivia and the seven-second grab. If you doubt it, aside from the gold-plated parental leave scheme – and slashing at least 12,000 public servant jobs – try to think of a single Abbott plan for Australia.

Oh, that’s right: “Stop the boats”.

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