MATTERS OF URGENCY

Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (16:39): There is a question we have to ask ourselves: who doesn't want us to have nice things? Loser politicians who let polluting companies dodge their fair share of tax, that's who. Make them pay their fair share of tax, and we'd have an extra $45 billion a year.

When I get really mad at these losers, I think about the nice things we could have with $45 billion a year. To start, we could get Doctor Who back on iview. And, while we're at it, let's have cricket back on free to air.

Meanwhile, we can get high-speed rail sorted to make sure no Knights fan gets stuck on a trackwork bus. Then let's make 50 cent public transport national and get your bus running on time. The fun doesn't stop here.

We could have public supermarkets that sell essentials you can afford; child care that's free, safe and great for all families and workers; fee-free uni and TAFE to set you up in life; a government owned developer to build quality, affordable homes; free public health care that actually works; and funding to shut down greyhound and horse racing and to give retired animals the comfy homes that they deserve.

Don't listen to politicians who are addicted to the corporate donations that fund their campaigns and their cushy post-politics jobs. We can have nice things, and we are going to tax big polluting corporations to get them.