Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is a seasonal industry, Senator Lambie. Not everyone comes from Tasmania. Not everyone's crops are ripening when yours are. When we look around the nation, we know that we need to have a solution presented to this place that will allow farmers and horticulturists from right around regional Australia to actually get their crop off—to secure their businesses and their local farmers. For those who called for the Senate inquiry—another step of delay—look at the farmers who presented to that. They were all Tasmanians. Thank you, re-election campaign of Senator Lambie, for stalling the debate.

Farmers actually came down to Parliament House today from my home state and from states right across the country to make it clear that they wanted this legislation passed and they did not want to still be sitting here on Thursday to do it. They wanted that legislation passed, because the reality is that the world is watching. I have a tweet here from a French website with 22,000 followers who are watching this debate right now. The world is watching, and every moment of delay results in young people, in particular, making decisions about where they will book their around-the-world trip ticket and how that will be paid for. Every day of delay costs our farmers.

I commend the legislation to the Senate. Regarding the economic lunacy that is presented by Mr Bowen, saying that he has a solution, well, with Senator Lambie as treasurer for the Labor Party, putting forward the 10.5, I would argue that he does not. I urge the Senate to pass the legislation as it exists right now and refer you to my Senate adjournment speech of 10 November.