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

Yes, I'm concerned with the Prime Minister's refusal—and I'm even more concerned with our federal parliament's refusal—to take responsibility and be accountable. I'm more concerned about federal parliament passing the buck and not coming clean. For almost eight decades our parliament has been the plaything of three parties: Labor, Liberal and the Nationals. COVID exposed for all to see that Australia's manufacturing has been gutted and our independence lost. Despite our mineral and agricultural wealth, we're now dependent on other nations. Subsequent mismanagement of COVID is confirming parliament's shoddy governance.

I'll read a Queensland constituent's comment that she directed to our state's Labor government: 'You told us to stay home for two weeks to flatten the curve. We did as you asked, and 18 months later we're still locked in our homes. You kept brothels open yet closed churches. You tell us you're following the science yet force arbitrary restrictions with zero basis in science. You said, "We're all in this together," as we lost our jobs and you got pay rises. You made us quarantine in small hotel rooms while making special rules for Hollywood stars. You keep Australian citizens from returning home while allowing Caitlyn Jenner into the country to film Big Brother. You refuse individuals to visit relatives interstate yet give exemptions to an entire football squad. You tell us masks are unsafe then punish people who won't wear masks. You tell us AstraZeneca is unsafe for under-60s then only unsafe for under-50s, and now you urge us all to get it, sneering at us if we hesitate to follow your ever-changing advice. Your Chief Health Officer says no-one under 40 should be injected with it. You said we can't go overseas but that you simply must go overseas to pitch the Olympics. You told us that the Black Lives Matter march was safe yet say a protest for freedom is a superspreader. Is it any wonder millions of people question everything you say and have reached breaking point?'

Enough is enough. We have one flag. We are one community. We are one nation. To serve our flag, communities and nation, federal parliament needs to change.