Mr HAMILTON (Groom) (13:57): It was an absolute privilege to go out the front, on the lawns of Parliament House, and listen to the concerns of farmers who had gathered there—some of whom are here with us in the gallery today. These were concerns about the policies that this government has enacted that have made their lives worse. It’s been 40 years since farmers have had to come down and rally around this place, but we’re back in that same place again.
I was very proud to stand with the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, as he stood up and confirmed that we’ll continue listening to farmers and as he gave our commitment to continue to support them. It was great to stand next to the Leader of the Nationals, who stood by his record as agriculture minister, and we will continue to do that on a number of issues. On live sheep exports, on biosecurity taxes and on water buybacks, we are there for regional Australia and for the agricultural community.
Do you know who was not there, out the front of Parliament House? Our prime minister was not there listening to the concerns of the agricultural industry. Not a single member of the Labor Party—
Government members interjecting—
Mr HAMILTON: They can get a bit agitated now, but they couldn’t get agitated enough to go out and listen to Australians. He loves to go to Beef Week, put on the Yellowstone cosplay with the hat and the RMs and pretend for the photoshoot that he understands regional Australia, but, when it comes to listening to your concerns, he is not there. He and the Greens are giving you a preview of what the next government will look like—a minority government led by Greens principles and a Labor Party that refuses to listen to the agricultural sector. We will— (Time expired)
