Gerard Rennick (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) Senator Watt's comments on 24 November 2020 that the Labor Party supports 'free' energy,

(ii) the importance of cheap electricity to a successful economy and society, and

(iii) that Queensland's Kogan Creek power station is owned by the people of Queensland; and

(b) calls on the Queensland Government to:

(i) add a new turbine to their coal powered station at Kogan Creek, and

(ii) use the revenue generated by this new investment to restore maternity services in the nearby town of Chinchilla and other regional maternity wards shut down by previous Labor state governments.

Senator Watt interjecting—

Murray, got anything to say there, mate?

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Watt?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think senators are supposed to address each other by their correct title.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm sorry; I didn't hear it.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor rejects this motion. It not only verbals me but is full of the type of half-baked theories and accusations Senator Rennick is quickly becoming infamous for. This, after all, is the senator who is convinced the Bureau of Meteorology is part of a climate change conspiracy. Not a day goes by where Senator Rennick doesn't sound more and more like Senator Roberts. The people of Queensland should breathe a sigh of relief that it is the Labor government of Premier Palaszczuk that sets Queensland energy policy rather than Senator Rennick. I think we're all starting to learn exactly why so many of Senator Rennick's colleagues roll their eyes every time he stands up to say something in the chamber.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Watt, you came perilously close to reflecting on a senator there. That's not helpful. I'm going to start being very strict about personal reflections, because it is not helpful. Senator Watt, I'm going to ask you to withdraw that reflection about other senators' behaviour in response to a senator. I do consider that to be a reflection.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Watt. It is very much appreciated.

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One Nation supports this motion. Cheap, reliable hydrocarbon fuels have led to the greatest improvement in human progress in the last 150 years. One Nation supports Senator Rennick's proposal to extend the Kogan Creek coal power plant. Climate policies and renewable subsidies have led to Australia having one of the most expensive power prices in the world and becoming more unstable. Senator Rennick's proposal is good for Queensland and good for Australia. Who could possibly vote against it?

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 933, in the name of Senator Rennick, be agreed to.