Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

And Senator Wong has now come in on the debate. She says: 'Bring it on! Bring it on!' I've got to say the cockiness of the Labor Party—

Opposition senators interjecting—

They have their tape measure out to measure the curtains at The Lodge. Let me tell you: there is still a little formality in front of you, and it's called an election.

If Senator Wong could refer to the clock—if Senator Wong could have a short look at the clock—she'd see I've got another minute and a half to share my pearls of wisdom with Senator Wong and the chamber. What I would like Senator Wong to understand is that between now and the election we will be fighting every single day for a stronger Australia, for stronger borders, for an Australia where Australian families have the best possible opportunity to get ahead and where we're doing the right thing by the environment in a way that is economically responsible. We will continue as a strong and united team. We will continue to work, as a strong and united team, to do the right thing by the environment in a way that is economically responsible.

This Greens stance, seeking to pursue Labor legislation, is not the way to do the right thing by the environment in a way that is economically or socially responsible. Of course, it seeks to cut across very important processes designed to ensure that the way forward is fair and environmentally, socially and economically sustainable for all of the relevant communities involved. This attempt by the Greens to hijack this very important process today is not in our national interest. The Liberal and National coalition, as we always do, will stand up for what is right. We will stand up for a stronger Australia and we will continue to fight the attempt of the Labor Party to make Australia weaker and to make Australians poorer. With those few words, Mr President, I think I might finish my contribution to this debate. But I have not yet sat down. I don't know that— (Time expired)