Perin Davey (NSW, National Party, Shadow Minister for Water) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Deputy President! It's very competitive in this chamber! We know that this Labor government, as they were vying for election when in opposition, went to the Australian people and promised they would do things differently. They promised they would be the government of transparency and openness. We know that they are anything but. We have seen in this chamber time and time again this Labor government run from transparency and scrutiny and absolutely avoid accountability. This simple motion for an inquiry to hear from experts, impacted community members, conservationists and the departmental advisers that have been providing the government advice, which will give transparency to the Australian people about decisions being made, is being repeatedly thwarted. It's happened six times and counting. This will be the seventh time, if they vote against it. It's been thwarted by this government so they can avoid scrutiny. They did the same with the inquiry into COVID after calling, from opposition, for a robust and forensic review of the COVID response. I should know; I was on the COVID select committee.