Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Would you like to listen to what former Labor senator and Labor premier, Bob Carr, had to say? Mr Carr said:

My view is that a government with a majority in any lower house ought to be able to implement its program not subject to frustration by an upper house, …

That is what Labor senator, Bob Carr, had to say.

What we have seen since September 2013 is a perpetual state of denial by most Labor members and, indeed, all Labor senators. And I think it is just worth reflecting on what was happening one year ago today. I would just like to talk about an article in the Sunday Telegraph. It was headlined 'Carbon tax to go as Rudd eyes poll'. This was Sunday, 14 July 2013—12 months ago. The article goes on to say:

Kevin Rudd, planning to abandon the carbon tax.

What we had yesterday was not criticism of Independent and minor party senators; it was a criticism of the Labor Party and its decision to stand in the way of repealing the carbon tax. Let's be clear: the coalition is critical of Labor senators who in one breath say that they will repeal the carbon tax and in another breath say that they will keep the carbon tax. Labor in the Senate is operating in a state of denial and it is now time to reflect the proper mandate of this government, demonstrated by its overwhelming election at the polls in September 2013. The time is right to repeal the carbon tax; to free Australian businesses and to allow jobs to be created. (Time expired)