Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

The coalition does not support this motion because the matters have been addressed, as is appropriate, by the Queensland Parliament. The government established a task force chaired by George Christensen from the other place to look into sugar marketing arrangements and an industry code of conduct. The outcomes of that task force have been overtaken by the passage of amendments to the Queensland Sugar Industry Act 1999 on 2 December 2015.

Senator Lazarus is hypocritical in his behaviour towards the Queensland sugar industry. Senator Lazarus used his maiden speech to call for a sugar tax and again last week supported the introduction of a sugar tax. Senator Lazarus cannot claim to be the canegrower's friend one day and then also support the issues that would wreck this important Queensland sector on another. I suggest, Senator Lazarus, you put your last day in this place to better use.