Scott Buchholz
Wright · Liberal Party · Australia
“Scotty, you've got to get rid of this bad government so that our business can survive.' The last one was: 'Scotty, it's like a perfect storm of despair for us—continued interest rate rises with more to come, government policy designed specifically to devalue the family home and crippled consumer confidence.”
“Yesterday, during question time, the Prime Minister was twice asked directly to guarantee that the housing market in Australia wouldn't tank, and twice he refused to do so. I rang a number of real estate agents in my electorate this morning, and I spoke with them. I'm going to record into Hansard what three of their comments were.”
“My electorate is predominantly agriculture; the largest contributor to GDP is agriculture. I live in an electorate where men and women who work on farms often get up before the sun gets up. Their faces are tanned, and their hands are cracked and blackened with earth and soil.”
“We proudly welcome every one of those families that choose to relocate to Wright purely because of the level of representation at federal government. There can be no other reason.”
“It would not surprise anyone within these rooms that, when I take a snapshot of these boards and bring them to the House, the cost of living is far and away the most predominant. I did, however, change my lists of issues that they could raise with me.”
“I also want to acknowledge young Hugh. Over dinner last night, Hugh told me that in his spare time after school he works with his brother who's a couple of years into his diesel mechanic trade apprenticeship. They go out harvesting, and he drives tractors, but he can only just see over the steering wheel.”
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“Our eldest daughter has followed a tertiary education, completing her post graduate work., Last week, Elizabeth completed her capstone for female apprenticeship and works on the Gold Coast. It was a very proud moment for her and for us. We've got two trade qualified children and two qualified through the tertiary system. We have conversations, at our table, about what HECS debts look like. I think the government knows that from the opposition's perspective we are very supportive of the vocational and training sector. When we speak about building a stronger economy and a more resilient nation and creating real opportunities for Australians, it all comes back to one thing. It comes back to the Australian people and how we communicate with our kids.”
“I thank the minister for his contribution. It was an absolute pleasure to join him this morning at the National Skills Week breakfast. The room was at capacity and shows the depth of support that the sector has. There are so many similarities that government and opposition have in their appetite for developing our country through vocational skills and training. We will be the first to support government when it is doing well, but it is incumbent upon us as opposition to work constructively with government and highlight areas we believe need further reflection. Here is a small insight into my own family. Minister, in your contribution you mentioned a number of people you had run across in your portfolio brief. When I sit down at my kitchen table, Christine and I have five children. It's a blended family.”
“For companies like Moderna and the pharmaceutical industry across Australia, predictability in government policy is essential, and it provides the certainty needed to invest in Australia, create jobs and grow our medical and research capabilities. The coalition is committed to delivering that sustainability and stability.”
“Successive national governments, the independent Halton review and the COVID-19 response inquiry have all identified the need for sovereign manufacturing capability to respond to future health threats. Moderna, established in Melbourne, enables Australia to be one of the few countries worldwide with end-to-end mRNA based vaccine manufacturing. The final framework regulation gives legal effect to the partnership between the government and Moderna and has been in place since 2022. I acknowledge the member for Kooyong, but given the agreement commenced under the coalition government which is being implemented by the Labor government with bipartisan major party support, we will not be supporting a disallowance to void this agreement.”
“Moderna was selected through a full and exhaustive cabinet process on the basis that it was the only bid that had an existing mRNA vaccine technology. As part of the partnership, Moderna will maintain a world-class facility ready for rapid deployment in the case of future endemic or pandemic threats. The facility will also have the capacity to support Australia with domestically manufactured mRNA vaccines against common seasonal respiratory viruses, pending TGA approval. All vaccines supplied from the facility will need to be approved by the TGA and ATAGI and undergo health technology assessments, as is the case with other vaccines supplied in Australia. It will make critical and regional hubs for mRNA technology development and production, bolstering our local biotechnological sectors.”
“The opposition won't be supporting the disallowance motion, for the reasons that I'll outline. The Moderna 10-year strategy partnership is about sovereign health security, future pandemic preparedness and growing Australia's world-leading medical research sector. It was commenced by the former coalition government, with the support of the Victorian Labor government, and finalised under the Albanese Labor government in August 2022. The agreement will result in Australia being able to make up to 100 million world-leading mRNA vaccine doses per year in the event of another pandemic or health emergency. This provides the capacity and capability to protect against evolving strains of COVID-19 or new respiratory diseases that emerge in the future.”
“So you can't believe what this fellow says. Our job on this side of the House is to hold government to account. We will hold you to account when you set emission targets and you miss them by this much. We'll hold you to account when you set prices for electricity and you say they're going to reduce by $275 and they actually go up by 32 per cent. We'll hold you to account when you say there'll be no new taxes but sneakily let out from the treasury department that we'll have to increase taxes in order to meet the future revenue streams. On this side of the House, we need a strong, formidable opposition now more than ever. Under this leader and under this team, we will deliver. We will keep you accountable, and we will be the formidable opposition that this country needs.”
“Time and time again, we see the Prime Minister come into this chamber and say that those on this side of the House continually, in the last parliament, said, 'No, no, no,' to legislation. So I thought I'd fact check that little bit of information. I went to no less than the Parliamentary Library, and they reliably informed me that there were 375 pieces of legislation that were debated in this place in the last parliament. I don't remember saying no to all of them. If you listen to the Prime Minister, he would have you believe that we said no to all of them. So I asked them, 'How many pieces of legislation that came before the chamber did we actually support?' How many do you reckon we supported? If you listened to him, you'd think we didn't support any of them. We actually supported 85 per cent of legislation that came here.”
“That is $4 billion around the manufacturing of caravan camper trailers, notwithstanding the four-by-four industry accessories and the regional benefit that goes to caravan parks and the grey nomads of Australia as they're travelling in their retirement years and spending money in these communities. Don't just make the assumption that caravaners are grey nomads. Each year, we see more and more young families on the road as they take the option to share with their children the delights of the Australian road. I encourage the members in this place to go and support any trade shows in your state. The Caravan Industry Association of Australia is a worthwhile initiative to sign up for. There's always room for more.”
“As the 48th Parliament resumes, it gives me great pleasure to advise the House that it's straight back to work. It straight back to work representing the caravan industry. Both Senator Helen Polley and I will be reconvening for the second year the caravan industry council. It is an industry which spends no less than $4 billion in the Australian economy. I want to acknowledge Stuart Lamont, the CEO of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, an amazing Australian equally supported by Luke Chippindale, for the work that they do in bringing the industry together.”
“'Des, can you stay for a drink? Would you like an afternoon drink? And he'd say, 'No, no, no—oh, just one!' and Des would sit and tell the most remarkable stories. Des was an avid hunter in Africa, and he'd tell stories of African safari. No-one in the camp would blink an eye. We would lean in intently, waiting for the end of these stories, and he'd say, 'I'll have to tell you the rest of that story tomorrow night.' Des Johnson did so many wonderful things in the community, but most of all there was his gift that he's left behind: his family. Freddie Johnson was our local butcher. His other boy—I think his name was Brian, but we all called him George—still looks after the blocks. His grandson, Billy—we'd always say to Des, 'Billy's a good kid,' and Des would say, 'No he's not; he steals my tools!'”
“He operated out of South-East Queensland and had a set of cattle dip yards, where you would dip cattle as they moved from state border to state border. But he also had some beautiful country around Lake Moogerah, and he would let his personal friends camp there. This was what Gracie's fondest memories were growing up. We would take our gooseneck to Lake Moogerah and Des's place. We would take three to four horses. We'd take quad bikes. All of our dogs would come. Even the cat would stow away in the gooseneck, and we would find when camping that the cat had come with us as well. Des was notably visual just as the sun was going down. You can imagine the dull light from a campfire, the stars just starting to come out, the smell permeating from a stew that had been going in a camp oven all day, and Des—we would play with him.”
“A couple of nights ago, my daughter, Gracie, called me, and she was upset. She called to advise me that Des Johnson had passed away. Des Johnson was a gentleman whom I am proud to have known. Des was born on the seventh of the eighth 1938 and he passed away at the age of 86. He spent the last years of his life under the care of the staff at the Churches of Christ retirement village in Boonah. Des was a remarkable man—so remarkable that I thought I would get to my feet and share with the Australian public and the House his contributions. I was first introduced to Des by a gentleman by the name of Terrance O'Hanlin, who to this day still claims that Des Johnson was possibly one of Queensland's largest independent cattle buyers and traders.”
“Don't trust them when they're saying that they're giving $275 relief to energy bills, because they're not. Those are going up 32 per cent. Don't believe them when they tell you that they're meeting their housing targets. They're not. Our job as an effective opposition is to hold up a mirror to the failings of this government, and believe me: with every breath I have, I will do it every day.”
“There are few people in this world that you can believe, but, can I tell you, you can believe the Parliamentary Library when they say that 375 bills came before this House. I ask the question: how many bills do you think we said no to? You would think, 'Well, clearly, all of them', if you listen to the rhetoric and the mendacious claims made by those on the other side. It wasn't 200. It wasn't 100. It was fewer than 15 per cent of pieces of legislation that came through that we supported. For 85 per cent of the bills that came through this place, we were in lock-step with the government. So, when the new members get their speaking points, my point would be: don't trust everything that this Prime Minister says. Don't trust them when they say that they're meeting their emissions targets, because they are not.”
“I acknowledge—to you, Mr Speaker—that the Prime Minister, in this House, referred to the coalition in language that said we keep on saying no to everything. I was in the previous parliament, I was on the benches, and I don't actually remember us saying no to too much at all. I asked the Parliamentary Library to do some research, and they came back to me and they said that during the last parliament 375 bills came through—and the member for Gellibrand was here when I made an address earlier on today in the MPI; thank you, Member for Gellibrand. We didn't say no to everything, but if you listen to the Prime Minister he would have the Australian public and every new member giving their maiden speeches believe that we said no to everything.”
“There were times, in the time I've spent here, where our side of politics commanded similar numbers in the parliament, but, can I say, it's the first time I have seen, from the opposition benches, such diminished numbers on our side. The Australian public have sent the coalition, our Liberal and National parties, a very clear message that they want us to do better. They want us to have a more articulated policy position. They want us to articulate that message to them in a clear and precise way that they can understand. Whilst we are in diminished numbers, can I share with the House that, now more than ever, the job of the opposition is to hold a government of this magnitude to account and to put a mirror up to the language they bring into this House. I do that from that perspective.”
“Mr Speaker, I take the opportunity to thank you and to acknowledge you for your elevation to the high office of Speaker of the House. I had the great fortune of serving with you in the previous parliament, and I know you to be fair, equitable, a man of enormous integrity and someone who serves, at the core of your being, the values of this parliament. I wish you the best in all your endeavours for the deliberations that lie in front of you in the next parliament. I think I win the award for the biggest praise of you! I congratulate Labor on their remarkable victory. I was sitting in the House today, and hearing the first speeches of the new parliamentarians allows you to ponder about your own maiden speech.”
“The Australian public sent our side of government a very strong message. They want us to do better, and we will. Under our leader we will deliver clear and frank opposition, and we will come in here and prosecute the truth. But what we will not do is stand by and let those on the other side come to this Chamber and speak mistruths. Just today, in question time, we had the Prime Minister again berating that we were a coalition of no, no, no, no. And I thought: 'I was in that government, I don't remember saying no to everything.' If you listen to them, you'll hear we say no to everything. A source that you can trust is the Parliamentary Library. I went to the Parliamentary Library and asked how many bills were presented in the Chamber last year. And they said there had been 375.”
“Thank you, Deputy Speaker. I congratulate you on your elevation to high office. It was a great privilege to work with you on the panel in the last government, and I know you to be very fair and equitable. I want to congratulate the new Labor Party members on your elevation to this place. It's a great privilege to serve here. I remember a time, early, when I sat on the government side of the dispatches, and our numbers were very similar. But this is the first time I've sat on this side with such dwindled numbers. Congratulations on your formidable win. There is a great responsibility on each of you to make sure that you do the right thing by our country. And there's a great responsibility on our side to hold you accountable for your policies and hold a mirror up when you fail.”
“All that means is that there's assistance available from $25,000 to $75,000 for those that are affected. I will always come into this place and acknowledge those who have done good things. I want to acknowledge the work of Minister McBain who worked with my office and, previous to that, Minister McAllister who worked with me to get the upgrade that my farmers needed. (Time expired)”
“Tropical Cyclone Alfred made landfall on 9 March. The largest contributor to GDP in my electorate is agriculture. We grow and produce the vegetables that end up on Australians' plates. I want to acknowledge a gentleman, a grower, by the name of Troy Huggins. Troy had a farm. He still has a farm. He had paid all his input costs and was just about ready to harvest. He had paid for his seedlings, he had paid for his fuel, he had paid for his labour and he had paid his machinery payments. His bank was waiting for the yield of that crop. Mother Nature put it three feet underwater. He was devastated, along with many other growers in our electorate. I have been fighting hard for Troy and growers in my electorate to get assistance upgraded from category C to category D.”
“If the answer is yes or no, real-life savings will only come from a Dutton led government reducing the fuel excise by half. Or you can wait for your 70c a day to come in 15 months time. At the next election, ask yourself one thing: am I better off under Labor than I was three years ago? If the answer is no, support a Dutton government.”
“At the next election, people need only ask themselves one question: are you better off than what you were three years ago? If the answer is no, Labor's failed you. Labor's failed most Australians. They've failed to manage the economy. They've failed to keep us safe. Under Labor, Australians are paying more for food, paying more for their rent and paying more for energy, and the dream of homeownership is slipping away from everyone. We've had the biggest fall in living standards in the developed world, and small-business bankruptcies are at a record high. Labor has squandered the last two surpluses. Even their own budgets reveal 10 years of deficits in the outward years, so not even they believe that things are going to get better under their management. Are you better off today than you were three years ago?”
“Thank you for your service, your wisdom and your unwavering commitment to our wonderful nation, Australia. Rest in peace, my friend.”
“His passing at the remarkable age of 101 marks the end of an extraordinary era. Fellow members, we can only hope and pray that God delivers us the health and the capacity and the wisdom to live to 101. It is an extraordinary contribution. But, while we mourn his loss, we also celebrate a life well lived, a life dedicated to service, excellence and the pursuit of justice. On half of all those whose lives he touched, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. May they, through these speeches, find comfort in knowing that Tom's legacy will continue to inspire all of us in this parliament. His contributions will continue to inspire all those that remember his legacy in the legal profession. Rest in peace, Tom Hughes OA KC.”
“His service to the nation further extended beyond the courtroom. As a member of the House of Representative, as the member for Parkes and later for Berowra, and as the Attorney-General in the Gorton government, Tom was a stalwart of the Liberal Party, committed to fairness, reform and progress. His contributions to Australian law and politics have left a lasting imprint on our nation's story. Beyond his professional achievements, Tom was a devoted family man, mentor and friend. We heard both sides of this House today refer to the love and devotion that he had for his family, for the commitment that he had for his community. He cherished his family, and his legacy lives on through them—his children, his grandchildren and all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Tom was, in every sense, a great Australian.”
“His recognition with the French Legion d'honneur for his role in Operation Overlord stands as a testament to his bravery and contribution to global history. Tom also had a distinguished career in law which saw him rise to become one of Sydney's most esteemed barristers. One of the comments today from the member for Berowra was that he was defending Menzies in one state jurisdiction and prosecuting him here on something unrelated in the ACT, such was his skillset in demand by all and sundry for high-profile cases. He fought for justice fiercely, appearing in high-profile cases that shaped legal precedent and upheld the rule of law. As president of the New South Wales Bar Association, he was a leader amongst his peers, admired for both his sharp mind and his unwavering integrity.”
“It's a great pleasure for me to offer a few remarks on the passing of such a remarkable Australian. Tom was a man of principle, intellect and unwavering dedication. Tom's impact on our nation and its legal profession and public life is both profound and enduring. Born in Rose Bay in 1923, in New South Wales, Tom's journey was one of service, excellence and commitment. From his early days as a student of Saint Ignatius' College Riverview—which is a good school, by the way; they reckon they can tell you the man when they see the boy at eight years old—and the University of Sydney to his courageous service as a Royal Australian Air Force pilot during World War II, he demonstrated an unrelenting sense of duty.”
“Today, in the House, we heard two incredible contributions that honour the remarkable achievements of the Hon. Thomas Hughes, AO, KC. The contributions were made by the Prime Minister and the honourable Peter Dutton, followed up by the member for Berowra. The funniest part of the contribution today—and it would be remiss of me not to enter it into this contribution—was when all three speeches referenced rioters picketing outside the front of the honourable Tom Hughes's place, where he met them with a cricket bat to settle any argument. I draw the attention of the House to those comments made today. I also acknowledge the members who have joined us in the public gallery. I want to acknowledge former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife, Lucy, who join family members as special guests to hear the contributions.”
“His legacy will live on in the policies he shaped, the lives he influenced and the examples he set for all who seek to serve their country, whether through this House, the business sector or our honourable Australian Defence Force personnel. To his family, friends and colleagues, we extend our deepest sympathies. May you find comfort in knowing that John's impact will never be forgotten. As some of the contributions that we make are etched into sandstone and, over time, the winds of change will erode them, I share with you that John's contribution has been etched into granite. It will stand the testament of time. May he rest in eternal peace, knowing he gave his all for the country that he loved so deeply. Rest in peace, the Hon. John Moore.”
“In 2004, his contributions were recognised when he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, an honour well deserved for a lifetime of service. It is such an honourable title to be given. It's one that's very rarely handed out to politicians whilst in office, but because of his lifetime commitment to business, which dovetailed into his professional career, the honours list committee would make the easiest decision they would have had to make in those assessments when looking at his character and contribution to our nation. John Moore was more than a politician; he was a statesman. He was a trailblazer and a very, very proud Australian. While we mourn for his loss, we also thank him for his incredible contribution to our nation.”
“His commitment to strengthening our nation's defence and ensuring the operational effectiveness of the Australian Defence Force will be remembered as one of the most enduring legacies. Beyond politics, John was a man of great personal warmth and character. He was a devoted family man, a mentor to many and a leader who inspired those around him with his vision and pragmatism. With the warmth and the vision that he had and the mentoring that he gave to those around him, I wonder what John Moore would say if he were here to hear the contributions made in the House today by the Prime Minister and the opposition leader about his contribution, how humbled he would have been to hear it and what his response to that would have been. John was truly a humble man.”
“Over the next 25 years, he dedicated himself to the people of Australia, serving with distinction in both the Fraser and Howard governments, as I mentioned earlier in my opening comments. His leadership was evident across a range of portfolios, from Business and Consumer Affairs to Industry, Science and Tourism and ultimately the most senior portfolio in the protection of our nation, the Defence portfolio. John's tenure as the Minister for Defence was particularly significant because it was under his stewardship that Australia played a crucial role in the East Timor peacekeeping mission. He championed the defence white paper of 2000, a landmark policy that reshaped Australia's military strategy for the next century—such a worthy contributor to our defence package.”
“He had a keen financial acumen. It saw him serve on the board of major Australian and international companies, earning him a reputation as a sharp and principled man. You can be a great businessman, but, if you are not principled and your customers feel like they're not getting the very best possible deal, they will not return. To the family and the friends of John Moore, I can assure you that one of the reasons he was successful in business is that his customers returned to him. They returned to him because they trusted him, and so did the electorate of Ryan. But, despite his successes in the private sector, John felt a deeper calling: a commitment to serve his country and to contribute to the nation's future. In 1975, he embarked on a new journey, winning the federal seat of Ryan for the Liberal Party.”
“How can a boy from Rockhampton who grew up on a cattle station in Brisbane grow a stockbroking firm to one of Queensland's largest? The Hon. John Moore's business acumen was equally as honed as his character and his sense of likeability. You've got to remember that in Central Queensland, where he spent most of his time, the largest contributor to GDP is agriculture, with large landholdings of cattle and cane. Whilst not every year may have been profitable, John's tentacles reached right through the entire state for when those good years were on to help other businesses invest their money wisely so that their future generations would prosper and in the dry times be able to draw down dividends to keep their family farm and business operations going. His connections on the international stage are something I'll add as well.”
“This guy, an amazing Australian, was fortunate enough to serve in a number of governments. John Moore was a Queenslander through and through. As I said, he was born in Rockhampton—by coincidence, my very birth town. He was raised on a cattle station just west of Bowen, and he understood the values of hard work and perseverance from a very early age. He went to the University of Queensland in Brisbane, where he honed his skills in commerce and accounting. These early experiences would lay out the foundation of a successful career in business and later in public service. Before entering politics, John excelled in the world of finance, growing his stockbroking firm to one of Queensland's largest single-trader businesses.”
“My other half is a schoolteacher, and she said, 'I wonder how many schoolteachers there would be in Queensland if, every three years, schoolteachers' jobs were reliant on votes from students and principals or other teachers.' So, when you're in public office, having that affirmation over and over and over again from the people you represent is evidence of your character and evidence of the way that your public perceive you and the contributions you've made for them and how you represented their interests. It shows how John made his community feel special and welcome in the seat of Ryan. In addition to his incredibly long service, he also served as a minister in the Fraser and Howard governments. There are people that will serve in this place for many years and will not reach the dizzy heights of cabinet ministers.”
“It gives me an enormous sense of pride to be able to get to my feet and make a heartfelt contribution on the Hon. John Moore. I rise to acknowledge not only his contribution in the House but also his contribution as a businessman and his contribution to our party, because his contributions, at his passing, are worthy of accolade and they're worthy of being noted. John, much like myself, was actually born in Rockhampton. He served as the federal member for Ryan in the House of Representatives for no less than 25 years. Now, just consider that—serving between the years 1975 and 2001. That is a colossal innings: 25 years of public service, giving to your community.”
“Unless we know the procedures and how situations have been managed, choreographed, and the outcomes of those, that history becomes lost.' His gift to our party was that granular detail that he has, and let's hope those diaries that he has don't get discarded, but they end up in the hands of a wonderful journalist that may fulfil Kevin's legacy in writing that final book in his memory. To Kevin Andrews, thank you for your friendship and your contributions to this place. To Margaret and the children, I cannot imagine the sorrow and hurt that you will be enduring in the months and years ahead, but know that there is a parliament that respects your husband with unlimited capacity, and that he has left behind a legacy in this place of amazing generosity and a gentleness that we should all live by. Vale, my friend.”
“Are you doing this for vexatious reasons or clandestine reasons?' And he said: 'You should keep a diary. You'll be surprised when you go back a couple of years after being here by how much slips your mind.' He said: 'My intention is to write a book. We won't divulge names or anything. It's more about helping the next politician, the next style of politician that will be coming to this House, because there are no rules in our party room. There are procedures and there are traditions, but there's no one tradition that binds one party room to the next.”
“Live them, share them, embrace them, and encourage others to do the same thing. Be forgiving. Be charitable. And, when it comes to your children, the greatest gift you can give them is your time. I know this task takes away an enormous amount of time, as politicians, that we would spend with our children. I offer my condolences to Margaret and the children, who now go through life having the memories of a wonderful father but without being able to touch or hold their hand or pick that phone up again. Kevin Andrews's gift to us is to be good to your family. Live your life by the principles that he taught us. In passing, my final comment is that someone will write the book that Kevin Andrews was going to write. With my conversations with him, he kept with granular detail party room meetings. I thought: 'Are you leaking to the press?”
“He'd be embarrassed by the generous comments that were made. He'd be humbled. But most of all I think he would feel a sorrow for his family of not being able to wake up the next day with Margaret or take a phone call from one of the children. And those months and years ahead—having lost a father myself at a very young age, I know the pain never leaves you, but it does subside. Those that leave us are always in our presence, and I think Kevin will always be in our presence here as a political mentor. So what gift has he left us as politicians? I think, passing away at the age of 69, you could argue that the gift he has given us is to live every life as if there is no tomorrow. Leave nothing in the tank. Stay true to your values. Stay true to your family values. Stay true to your beliefs.”
“When I had a particular issue that was vexing me, I pondered for some time as to who I would take advice from, because the issue was sensitive, and I went to Kevin. And we spoke, and he gave me advice that reaffirmed what my problem was. I left that meeting, without divulging what it was, with a sense of calmness and a sense of healing and most of all, through the Christian learnings, a sense of forgiveness. The bitterness that I had gone there with was gone. And it is a powerful skill that one has to be able to impart that generosity. But the point of the contribution that I wanted to make today is that Kevin's contribution to this country was cut short too early. I just want to challenge members of the House that, if Kevin Andrews were here listening to these contributions about him, what would his reaction be? What would he be saying?”
“He was a decent human being, and I cannot recall a particular point in the 15 years that I've served here where I sat with him where he said an unkind word about anyone. He used to get frustrated with some colleagues, but I think that's just a by-product of working in a place where robust debates happen and points are different, because he was such a conservative. Our political ideologies were very much aligned, and so we found comfort in each other's similarities of our beliefs. We were not always 100 per cent aligned, but for the most we were very much aligned. His Christian values and his commitment to family go hand-in-hand. You can be a great father without being a Christian, but, when you're both, it is another set of values that you live by. He was someone that I found very easy to look up to.”
“Kevin, in his last contributions in the party room as the member for Sturt—aptly appointed to—showed no signs of illness and no signs of frailty. He was fit and well with a plan and a destiny to invest time with his family. He had plans to write yet another book, which has been spoken about in a number of speeches. And so it is a life lost too early. In my contributions today, it is not my intention to speak of the biography of what Kevin Andrews was and his assorted ministries as such, because my colleagues have done that so appropriately and I don't want to cover that ground. I want to speak more to the man and the contributions and the effects that he had on me. I just think that Kevin Andrews walked the walk and talked the talk.”
“(): I was first elected to this parliament in 2010. On average, as members of this parliament, we would stand twice a week and offer a minute's silence in question time for members of this place that had passed. For over a decade, this ritual has continued—an honourable ritual. It just speaks of the fragility. When something moves or shifts with people from 'you didn't really know who they were' to 'now you know who they are'—the men and women that you have served with—and you're standing to offer a minute's silence, it speaks of the fragility of life and the inevitability. When the news of Kevin Andrews's passing found me, I was shocked. At the age of 69, that is below the average life expectancy for an Australian male.”
“With the members in this chamber at the moment I could do a straw poll and ask them to think of their last electricity bill. I know what mine was. My electricity bill at home was over $2½ thousand for the quarter. Go back three years when Labor was first elected, when we left office, the same power bill was 1,200 bucks. That's my household. I challenge—”
“It was solar panels to run little Honda motor pumps to pump water for stock and for irrigation to provide the protein, to provide the fibre, to provide the vegetables—the food that goes on the plates of Australians. We were the early adopters. I can tell the Labor Party something for nothing. If you want people to get on board with renewable energy, then you're doing exactly the wrong thing by making it even more expensive to use renewable energy. We were told on more than 200 occasions by those on the other side that under a Labor government power prices would be $275 cheaper—that the wind blew for free and that the sunshine was free. They led people along, led the Australian people along, on the understanding that their power prices would go down.”
“I live in a regional precinct, and I had a journalist here in Canberra once say to me, 'When are you guys'—meaning the Liberal Party—'going to get on board with renewable energy?' You should have seen their face change—and it really gave light to what the Canberra bubble is—when I explained to them that I live in a regional area and that they would be hard pressed to find a single farm that did not have a windmill on it supplied by a company called Southern Cross Windmills. Their head office is situated in my electorate, and this year they are celebrating 150 years of manufacturing, making us the early adopters of renewable energy. When those windmills failed and we had to adopt new technologies, do you know what the technology was that most farmers went to?”