Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

Somehow I do not think you can ever be embarrassed, Senator Marshall.

In terms of my contribution to the debate, there were three key pieces of legislation that the Prime Minister tabled on Wednesday of the last sitting week in the House of Representatives, and all three pieces of legislation represented commitments that this government had made to the Australian people. They were of course in relation to the restoration of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, the standing up of the Registered Organisations Commission and, perhaps in terms of priority, our legislation to protect the 60,000 volunteer firefighters in Victoria who are currently being subjected to a hostile takeover by the United Firefighters Union.

On that note, while I was happy to commend Senator Marshall for his role as the Deputy President in the Australian Senate, I have to say that I express great disappointment in relation to his role as a senator for Victoria and the fact that he himself, along with the Victorians on the other side of the chamber, refuse to stand up and put politics aside. Do not kowtow to Daniel Andrews, the Premier of Victoria, and stand up for the 60,000 volunteer firefighters in Victoria who, since 1945, when the CFA was first introduced—and certainly before that—have done everything they can to ensure that one of the most fire-prone areas in the world is protected during the fire season.

Debate interrupted.