Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Palmer United Party) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you. In the time I have left, I would like to take this opportunity to join DLP Senator John Madigan and speak against the loss of 33 CSIRO forestry scientists' jobs, particularly those 13 jobs in Tasmania. I want to put on the record my strong support for the Tasmanian forestry industry and Tasmanian forestry workers and their families.

The Greens in this parliament should hang their heads in shame at the deliberate damage they have done to the Tasmanian forestry industry. The Greens should be held to account for their betrayal of my beautiful state of Tasmania. Late last year, Bob Brown made a Facebook post which whined for a debate about the future. The only reason Bob wanted to talk about the future is because he is ashamed to talk about his past. The truth must come out. Have the Greens taken the tax dollars of the Tasmanian people and workers and betrayed them? The key question that must be answered today by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Abetz—a fellow Tasmanian—is: Will you support the PUP's call to reinstate all the sacked CSIRO workers and, in particular, the 13 scientists from Tasmania?

The only time I want to talk to Mr Brown is when he is sitting before a Senate committee, on affirmation, answering questions about his, and his Greens colleagues', actions which have destroyed confidence, hope and jobs in my great state of Tasmania. I want a forum where there will be serious consequences, such as a contempt of parliament, if Green lies are told. There are enough public comments on the record from both Labor and Liberal politicians about the extreme damage the Greens have done to the Tasmanian economy and our international reputation. A spokesperson for Julia Gillard, former MP and Prime Minister, said:

This must include the end of campaigns which seek to sabotage timber communities. These campaigns don't just attack jobs, they attack the chances of protecting our forests.

The Hon. Greg Combet quoted a Ta Ann Tasmania announcement that:

… sales to Japan had fallen by 50 per cent as a result of persistent protest activities by environmental groups — particularly Markets for Change.

And Senator Richard Colbeck said:

The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) is now the weapon of choice for the ENGOs and the Greens in their job killing campaign.