Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Acting Deputy President, I've shifted to the other side of the chamber—I used to stare directly at you. I have to swivel my hips a little bit to the left.

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDEN T: It's all new for us.

We are scrutinising this issue. That's our job. The minister has come in and provided responses. The minister has said he will come in tomorrow and provide a response to One Nation. So, I genuinely ask the Liberal and National parties to reflect on their behaviour in this chamber this morning and what it is that they are trying to achieve by coming in here and politicising this issue.

I know why One Nation are coming in here to politicise this issue. They are searching for relevance. Senator Hanson was nearly knocked off by the Legalise Cannabis Australia Party, which would have had a delicious irony to it, had it happened, and there were many of us glued to the screen during those final days of the count in Queensland. We would have genuinely welcomed the Legalise Cannabis Australia Party to this chamber. We understand why One Nation are doing this—they have no power in this government anymore and their votes are no longer relevant or necessary to this government in this parliament. I understand why they're doing it, but I still say to Senator Hanson that it's very dangerous what you're doing. Reflect also on your behaviour and what you are trying to achieve here. Are you representing the best interests of Australian farmers in doing what you're doing now? We all accept the government needs to be scrutinised. We all accept the government needs to be put under pressure. That's how it works in here, but that's exactly what the Senate is doing. The Senate is already having a comprehensive inquiry into this issue, the government's response to it to date and, more importantly, what else needs to be done. You'll get the chance for a contribution very shortly, Senator Hanson, I'm sure.

This inquiry is also looking at an outbreak of varroa mite in this country, which I haven't heard the National Party asking any questions on in here. Another four outbreaks were announced in New South Wales on this yesterday. This is a very serious issue that's also being looked by the inquiry—a very serious issue not just for the bee industry but also for those in the agricultural industry that rely on the pollination services of bees. It couldn't be more critical, but I don't hear anything from you about this issue at all. So there are lots of other priorities.

I know you're struggling to find a reason to put the government under the pump, but, really, please reflect on your behaviour. Be mature adults. And let's get on with doing the job that we were elected to do.