Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

We're talking about the Environmental Defenders Office funding, and we would be forgiven for thinking that not only is Christmas coming—we see a change from those opposite—but an election is coming. Let's put some details on the public record following on from the responses to questions given by Senator Wong. She quite clearly articulated that the issues that have been raised have been referred to the department, and obviously there is responsibility to make sure there's due process and that things are done according to contractual arrangements. But let's just remember that the EDO has been funded for 20 years, including under the Howard government, until it was cut by Mr Tony Abbott in 2013. So we already see what would be ahead of us under Mr Dutton, including here today, and the cuts that he would make.

We also know that when we go to an election and we make a commitment, we live by that commitment and we honour that commitment. Last financial year, 75 per cent of the EDO's income was from charitable donations. State and territory governments funded them as well. As with any organisation in receipt of public funds, I, along with the Labor government, expect the Environmental Defenders Office to demonstrate the highest possible ethical and professional standards. That's what we do—without using a white board.

As I said, there was a theme here today in the questions asked by those opposite. We're leading up to an election, so we know that, yes, the EDO is in the firing line. We also know that Mr Dutton, from his record when he was in government, is very quick to cut funding, so let's try and understand why the opposition are targeting this organisation—because who is next on their list to cut funding to? Will they do as they've done in the past?

It's interesting to have my fellow Tasmanian senator from the opposition here today, because in 2013 your government cut funding to Launceston Community Legal Centre and they had to halve their staff. That's what you did. North Queensland Women's Legal Service in Herbert was unable to service two-thirds of its case load. That was in response to a Liberal government. The Gold Coast Community Legal Centre faced losing both of its specialist domestic violence lawyers despite overwhelming demand.

Instead of attacking us in this chamber, why don't you set out your plans to make cuts, which you will do. We know that that's what Mr Dutton did when he was Minister for Health. We know he cut billions of dollars out of health. Yet they come in here and, at every opportunity, play political games, when they could have supported good legislation that is trying to address the issues that our community is facing at the moment, with the cost-of-living pressures. What do they do each and every time? They vote against it. What did they do when there was an opportunity to support early educators in this place? How did they vote on that legislation? They voted no. What did the Liberals and the Greens do for a whole week in this chamber? They cozied up together to stop a vote on funding for housing in this country that would ensure social and affordable housing for those Australians that want it.

So the one thing that those opposite lack is credibility. They can't be trusted. They will come in and they will cut, cut, cut—because that's their record. It's in their DNA. So, if I was working in any legal service around this country, I would be very concerned about electing the opposition as the next government, because people know how arrogant Mr Dutton is. They know they can't trust Mr Dutton. We know from past experience what is going to happen if they— (Time expired)