Hollie Hughes (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

We saw on Saturday a very substantial vote—across all six states Australians came out and said no. One of the reasons they came out and said no is that this debate has been dripping with sanctimony and a sense of superiority and it has been absolutely condescending to Australians and they have been insulted. We just heard then a contribution from someone opposite who supported the 'yes' campaign about their volunteers being called some names. Honestly, it's like they've looked in the mirror and tried to deflect. An Indigenous former sporting hero, who has been very vocal in his support for the 'yes' campaign, walked past one of our elderly women, who happens to be Jewish as well, and called her the most vile racist names as she was working on a pre-poll booth in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. The abuse that has been seen in this country is absolutely appalling, but I can tell you that the abuse has come from one side and one side only—the side of the 'yes' campaign.

We know why 39 per cent of Australians said yes and 61 per cent of Australians said: 'Absolutely not. I will not be spoken to that way. I will not be treated that way. I am a smart Australian who knows that we are better together than divided by race. I am a smart Australian who wants our country to be a better place for all Australians, not just provide a select voice for some.' Those who voted no are not racist.

I hear interjections from the Greens. I look forward to you going out and explaining to the 61 per cent of Australians who voted no that you still think they are racist for voting that way. Go and tell them. We know that's your modus operandi. We see over here the abuse that continued with the 'yes' campaign. It continues because those people are so tone deaf. Even today they are out there trying to undermine and abuse those who were on the 'no' side of the debate. I have been on the 'no' side of the debate for months and months.

I'm incredibly proud of what New South Wales has achieved and the result we have seen in New South Wales. I note that New South Wales is currently sitting with a higher 'no' vote than Tasmania. The 'yes' campaign didn't really want to spend too much time in New South Wales. It was all about Tasmania and South Australia because they were the swing seats and Victoria and New South Wales were in the bag. New South Wales has voted more heavily 'no' than Tasmania. Sorry for that, Senator Duniam. Those in New South Wales really did engage. They really wanted to say: 'No. We are all Australians and we are better together.'

There's more condescension and abuse coming from you lot. Bring it on. Everyday Australians know that you are absolutely full of it and full of your own self-importance and sanctimony. We've heard nothing but personal smears and attacks from Senator Sterle. What else would we expect?

Question agreed to.