Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Rice for that question. Let me reassure Senator Rice: we on this side of the chamber love the possum. Indeed, as Senator Fifield has just told me, the possum is the state emblem of Victoria and, if Denis Napthine is returned as Premier of Victoria this Saturday, the Victorian possum will be safe. We on this side of the chamber, like Premier Napthine, also believe in building a stronger, more prosperous economy where people can get ahead. We believe in building a stronger, more prosperous economy in a way that is environmentally responsible. The state government in Victoria—the outstanding Liberal-National Party state government—has done an outstanding job in taking Victoria forward, and we strongly commend to the people of Victoria on Saturday: vote for Denis Napthine and his team.

I am always very interested when I am asked questions by the Greens on environmental matters, because we now know that the Greens are in favour of coal instead of hydro—