Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I know; I don't know what I did wrong in certain parts of my previous life, but I do remember a lot of stuff. But, seriously, how can we look at that side of the chamber, the opposition, and see any credibility. Let's talk about a certain infrastructure project—and I bet that mob over there doesn't raise it in Senate estimates this time around. Remember Leppington Triangle? Remember that piece of land that was valued at $3 million? And what about the new airport being built in Sydney? I am not pointing figures, but that lot over there have their fingerprints all over it. That land was valued at $3 million and was owned by no less than a well-known LNP donor.

Opposition senators interjecting—

I will take 25 steps out there. I do not need the protection of parliament to make this statement because it is damn true. Do you know what they bought it for? I think Mr Barnaby Joyce was the minister at the time. It was valued at $3 million. Did they pay $3 million or $3.5 million? No. Did they pay $5 million? No. You'll notice that no-one over there is interjecting. Did they pay $6 million or $7 million? No. Do you know what paid? Do you know what they took out of our pockets—out of the pockets of Australians; out of the pockets of all you out there in the gallery; and out of the pockets of all you out there in radio land? They paid $30 million. Do I hear any objections? Where are the big voices on the opposition benches? Not one of them is saying boo. There are some decent people on that side of the chamber.

I am not accusing my good friend Senator Scarr—who has to fire up and take one for the team. Don't lower yourself, Senator Scarr. You know that you are better than that. Do I hear The Nationals? There are couple of Nats on that side of the chamber. They are very decent people. I have worked very closely with a couple of them, and I look forward to working closely with them in Senate estimates for the next few days or week. Do I hear any objection? Do I hear, 'Sterle, you big mouth; you're telling lies'? Fancy that. $30 million. On a more serious note—I know, there's a lot more. Nine years of rorting and waste. You've got to give it to Senator McKenzie, she's got more front than Myer. We remember her situation there when she got dumped as the minister for—what was it, the 'Minister for Colour Coded Sports Rorts' or whiteboards or something like that? Spreadsheets. That's what it was.

Let me share another with you, Mr Deputy President. It is very difficult, on a serious note. It's none of my business who the opposition choose as their leadership team, and thank goodness I don't get a vote in that madhouse. But I do struggle looking on the television each night—I'm sorry, I don't know Ms Ley's seat. If anyone can tell me the seat, I'll refer to her as the member for—