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

I apologise. We put $15 million into the National Carp Control Plan—another great environmental measure in our waterways in country Australia. Three million dollars was provided for pest and weed management in New South Wales in this 100 days. We put in place the Australian Pest Animal Strategy to improve and create the environment for increased productivity across agriculture in the country. In 100 days, we have put a total of $50 million over the period to establish pest, animal and weed control right across the country. Through you, Mr Acting Deputy President: Senator Sterle, a million dollars went into Western Australia and $12 million to Queensland—there is a bit of parity issue there, but I think it is a reflection of the standards. There has been $1.5 million to combat pest animals and weeds and $1 million to the Victorian government in this space; we have provided $6 million to assist landowners in the Balonne Shire to build cluster fencing.

This list goes on and on and on—in fact, my printer got overheated and I could not get all of the pages out of the printer and bring them here today. I am having the printer fixed and, if I get another opportunity, I would ask my colleagues on the other side to ask this question again tomorrow and the next day and the next day. I promise you will give up by the end of the sittings.

We have invested $330,000 under the Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation program.

Colleagues, we listened to Senator Cameron. We listened to his presentation. He had 15 minutes. It was a hollow presentation. He did not put one fact on the table. He did not address one issue of policy. He did not recognise one thing that this government has done and, in fact, more importantly—and this is a feature of the Australian Labor Party in this place and in the other place—he had nothing to offer. There were no alternatives for us to sit and consider that perhaps there was a better way. We listened in question time, and there was not one question on the economy, not one question on education, not one question on health, not one question on agriculture and not one question on Aboriginal and islander affairs. Through you, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker: the Australian Labor Party is a hollow vessel. It has nothing to offer. It poses the question and leaves the answer open because it cannot make the case and it cannot make the pitch.

If I ever find myself in trouble and before a court, I honestly hope—I will beg for it; it will be the other thing that I ask for—that Senator Cameron is qualified to prosecute me, because I will walk out of there a free and proud man! Thank you.