Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Temporary Chair Sterle, for doing this. I do admit that what happened was because of me; it wasn't the government holding up the legislation. I admit when I'm wrong, but I will tell the truth, unlike a lot of other people in this chamber. The whole fact is that it came time to actually move the amendments, and I ran to get to the chamber in time to actually move the amendments. So that is the truth. It's got nothing to do with the government whatsoever.

I do have a concern with one of my proposed amendments. I've just discovered it has not been printed to my wishes correctly. Therefore I am considering what to do with this. Unless I have confirmation from the government that it can be changed, I am of the opinion that I don't think it can be changed. That was the amendment on sheet 8983 revised 2. The amendment says that if you're aged 67 years or over you get $5,000 to put into your superannuation account. That was basically for all Australians, because 67 years of age is the retirement age. We are struggling to keep people in the workforce, so it is basically an incentive for all Australians. It doesn't matter who you are or what work you do—whether you're a truck driver, whether you're someone who works in a retail business or whether you're someone who works in the mines—if you're 67 years of age, it's to have an incentive to put an extra $5,000 into your super.

What we find now is that a lot of people are actually drawing out their super at retirement age, paying off their homes, going for holidays, spending the money and ending up on the pension. It was an incentive to keep people in the workforce regardless of who they are—for all Australians, those battlers, everyone. But, as I see now, it was supposed to be only $5,000 a year, not increased by $5,000 every year. That was not what I wanted to see written here. Therefore I'm in a bit of a dilemma.

I still believe that Australians over the age of 67, those older Australians, should be able to put the money into their accounts and stay in the workforce, which we need. Just because you're 67 and you're of retirement age—I'm proud to say I am 67 years of age. I turned 67 yesterday. If Senator Murray Watt thinks that I'm staying here for an extra six years for $30,000, he doesn't know me. I don't need to be in this place with a lot of pusillanimous politicians for the next six years for an extra $30,000. It's about the battlers. It's for people out there to be able to stay in the workforce from 67 years of age, and to give them some incentive for why they should. They're worth their weight in gold. Most of my employees in my office are over the age of 67. I'm proud to say that. The people who worked in my fish and chips shop were also of the older age group, and they are worth their weight in gold.

This is about the battlers. Those people were given the opportunity to take their money out of superannuation to use in the time of COVID. This is now going to give them the opportunity to put that money back in without any penalties up until 2030. Give those people who have used the money the opportunity to put it back into their superannuation funds so they will have that money when they come to retirement age. Was that Labor's policy? No. They're not worrying about those battlers. The battlers, those hardworking Australians, utilised taking money out of their superannuation accounts thanks to the government giving them that opportunity. But now that they're back in work it's about allowing them the opportunity to put that money back into their accounts. I'd like to see how Labor's going to vote on that one, because they've been knocking back the opportunity for all the battlers to put money back into their accounts.

The next point is about the concessional contribution of money into your superannuation. If you are over the $26,000 or $27,000 that you put into your super at the moment from your employer—anything over that and you're paying the full tax rate on that money. And then you have the opportunity to pull it out. But, again, you are taxed at three per cent for drawing your money out. You're drawing out money that you paid full tax on and they want to hit you again for another three per cent. It's about getting rid of that three per cent, considering you've already paid your tax on it.

If you think that I'm moving this is because of me, and for $30,000—come on, mate, you just don't know me. I've probably paid more tax in this country than you ever have. I've done more work for the people of Queensland, and I have actually achieved more for Queensland in the past five years than some of the Queensland senators in this parliament. I am fed up with the lies, the misrepresentation and the people who put a spin on so many issues here. Talking about the casualisation of those in the mines: it was One Nation that actually got the government to get rid of casualisation, allowing those Australians to actually turn around and ask for full-time employment after 12 months of working in a job. That was One Nation. That was me. That was not Labor. That was not Labor and it definitely wasn't Murray Watt pushing for that.

It's about looking after those people and giving them the opportunity. My focus in this parliament has been a fair go for all Australians. It's up to you how you want to vote for this. If you want to play your politics in this place—I'm sick and tired of it and so are the Australian people. Stop damn well twisting and saying anything.

Senator Watt interjecting—

Oh, it's election time? You know what, Senator Watt? I'm actually going to put that video up where you praised me for my work ethic and the work I've put into Queensland. You praised me on the floor of parliament. It suits you when politics is in the air. That's right: we're up for election. Murray Watt's up against Pauline Hanson. You won't get re-elected on your abilities at all. You will get re-elected purely based on the fact that you're top of the ticket. Senator Chisholm might do a far better job than you.