Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

REYNOLDS () (): Thank you. I rise today to stand with the people of the Perth Hills, who have been completely betrayed by this government in approving the North Stoneville development. Actions speak much louder than words, and, despite the federal member for Hasluck, Tania Lawrence MP, publicly stating she opposes this development, her Labor mates have given the green lights to this most appalling of developments.

Let the record be very clear on this. The previous Liberal government listened to the community and, due to serious environmental concerns, did not approve the development. The current member for Hasluck's desperate claims that the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act is outdated is nothing but a stunt. Bizarrely, she and the Labor candidate for Bullwinkel last week blamed John Howard, who has not been in government for 20 years. Talk about the dog eating my homework! She also claimed that Labor's hands were tied by the current laws, but the truth is Labor did have a choice.

This is all from the same minister who is trying to ram through the industry-killing Nature Positive Plan legislation while Labor at the same time is endorsing a high-density housing project that will fell 60,000 trees, destroying endangered species habitat and creating a deathtrap in a bushfire-prone area. Now, Minister Plibersek has the authority not to approve this project, but she did—and why now? Why do this before an election? I can tell you there is a lot of speculation about why she did.

Together with Matt Moran, the Liberal candidate for Bullwinkel, and Adam Hort, the Liberal candidate for Kalamunda, we stand with the Perth Hills community. I can tell you what: the Perth Hills residents will not forget Labor's betrayal, and the fight continues. (Time expired)