STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator POLLEY (Tasmania) (13:36): One Nation's dangerous rise should cause great concern to every Australian who believes in a secure workplace, fair wages and a decent standard of living. Behind the slogans and grievances of One Nation is an agenda that would take Australians backwards. One Nation has shown hostility to the very important measures that are helping Australians, particularly when it comes to working families: stronger workplace rights, paid parental leave, superannuation, affordable child care and wage growth.

One Nation opposes it all. If One Nation gets their way, bosses will be able to fire workers at will with no recourse for working Australians. At a time when families are already under pressure, One Nation's approach would weaken workplace protections, drive wages down and leave workers with less take home pay and less job security.

The Albanese Labor government has delivered tax cuts for all Australians, energy bill relief, cheaper child care and urgent care clinics. It has invested in Medicare, expanded paid parental leave—and paid superannuation on that parental leave—and boosted superannuation. But One Nation, no matter what they tell people back in their electorates and through the media, we know they oppose the tax cuts for every Australian.

They oppose the energy bill relief. They oppose cheaper child care. They have opposed urgent care clinics.

Their leader said just last week that women who aren't at work shouldn't get paid. So much for paid maternity leave! We believe in building this country through superannuation.

We are actually the friends of the Australian workers, unlike the— (Time expired)