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

Last Thursday, on music band T-shirt day, the Prime Minister chose to wear a T-shirt from Australian band Radio Birdman, perhaps for the uncanny commentary their song titles make on the Prime Minister's term in office. Who can forget 1977's classic title 'Descent into the Maelstrom', or their commentary on the government's legislation agenda, 'Subterfuge'.

Radio Birdman nailed this government's failure with their song 'Time to Fall' and the follow-up, 'Found Dead'. The Prime Minister's fortunes are 1981's 'Hanging On'—and, if we see one more selfie, perhaps 1988's 'Burn My Eye'—and, from 1977, perhaps something no Australian is likely to say to the Albanese government, 'You're Gonna Miss Me'. Perhaps a better T-shirt would have been AC/DC's ode to crossbench dirty deals, 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap'.

Jim Chalmers didn't take part in band T-shirt day, and missed his chance to wear a AC/DC T-shirt that sums up his economic policy perfectly: 'Highway to Hell'. Aptly describing Jim Chalmers's cost-of-living crisis would be 'Hungry Cannibals'. It's ironic that—

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

Senator Roberts, can you resume your seat, please. Senator Brown?

Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that the senator be reminded that he needs to address people in the other chamber by their correct title.

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

It's ironic that the Prime Minister returns from kissing the ring of BlackRock, the largest predatory wealth fund in history, and dons a T-shirt from an anti-establishment punk rock band. We're on a highway to hell because Anthony Albanese has not grown into the prime ministership. He still acts as though selfies, band T-shirts and empty symbols are substitutes for thoughtful governance and hard work.

As a Senate, we stand at the Rubicon, with digital ID and misinformation bills in hand. We must decide as a Senate whether to cross into tyranny or take a principled stand in support of free speech, freedom of association and honest debate. It's an own goal that Anthony Albanese chose a band from a better time—

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

Senator Roberts, resume your seat. Senator Brown?

Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Same point of order. Can you remind the senator to address others in the other house by their correct title.

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

Senator Roberts, can you use the term 'the Prime Minister' or 'the member for Grayndler'.

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

He chose a band from a better time, a happier time, when Australia was prosperous, when people had homes, cars and breadwinner jobs. Wearing a T-shirt will not bring back those days, Prime Minister, nor will you.