A significant number of community members in my region are employed by the coalmining industry and related supply chains. The Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region, which I am proud to represent alongside the member for Burdekin—he has more coalmines in his region than any other electorate—contributes $18.4 billion in gross regional product. This is a significant contribution to the Queensland economy. Of nearly 85,000 jobs, 79 per cent come from these areas of employment. The mining sector, which we are very grateful to have operating in our region, has a spend in the region of $1.7 billion in wages. That is over 18,000 jobs. 

The question that Queenslanders will ask themselves this election is: whether children are safer, whether victims of domestic, family and sexual violence are supported and have had justice served, whether women’s economic security is better or worse after nearly a decade of Labor and who has the right plan for Queensland’s future. With nearly 2,000 children in residential care—the worst of any jurisdiction in this nation—the government should be ashamed. 

Bulk-billing rates are declining across Queensland and have been for a number of years but no more so than in regional Queensland and across the electorate that I represent. There are no fully bulk-billed medical practices in the greater Mackay region anymore and this tax by stealth that is going to impact general practice is another example of this Treasurer’s arrogance—no consultation, not listening to industry, little regard for Queenslanders and especially Queenslanders who live in rural and regional Queensland. 

I too would like to contribute to this cognate debate. I would like to put on the record though that 3¾ hours to debate two significant pieces of legislation, as well as amendments that have been circulated by the Attorney, is not adequate and flies in the face of what this parliament is set up to do, which is to be a place of robust debate and to have the time to carefully consider legislation and to make representations from stakeholders and the communities we represent.