Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Prices at supermarket check-outs are going through the roof while Coles and Woolies are raking in billions of dollars in profits. What critical issue is the centrepiece of the government's response? The harrowing plight of Christmas ham prices. Senator Watt, a cabinet minister no less, is calling for a freeze on the price of ham. This raises some very serious questions. Has this policy been endorsed by cabinet, or is it just a ham-fisted attempt by Senator Watt to hog the limelight? Are price controls on food actually government policy, or is Senator Watt simply free-ranging? Is he confronting the issue with the gravy it deserves—I'm sorry; the gravity it deserves? Is Senator Watt actually going to keep carrying on like a pork chop until our eyes glaze over? Will Senator Watt go the whole hog and call for price controls on other food items, or is he just hamming it up to build his social media profile?

Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Scarr is on his feet, on a point of order, I presume.

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I believe there might be a standing order against dad jokes, and, if there isn't, there should be.

Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Scarr, but this is serious. Senator Watt refuses to endorse a rent freeze but is happy to endorse a ham freeze. This is a move that is as transparent as the finest prosciutto! We have to ask ourselves here: will Labor ever take meaningful action to help renters, or is it more likely that pigs might fly? These are the questions that Senator Watt needs to answer. Why is the government refusing to focus on renters' rights yet is seeming fully focused on bacon in supermarket profits? Labor needs to stop mincing its words and carve out some strong action on renters.