Senator REYNOLDS (Western Australia) (15:17): I too rise to take note of answers, including the one on leadership. I want to talk about leadership. I was just listening to Senator Lines make the most absurd statements about Andrew Hastie, the Liberal candidate for Canning. I have rarely met a more honourable man or woman who has served this country with such great distinction. I would love those opposite to go and stand in that man's shoes or in the shoes of any of the other members of the SASR and see what they do to serve our nation with distinction. If you want to see leadership, go and see what those men and women do to serve our country. If those opposite want to talk about money in Canning, let's talk about the hundreds of unionists they have pulled in from all around the country and the millions of dollars that have come in to pay those unionists to intimidate local Canning residents. Let me tell you about Canning. I have been doorknocking in Canning. In fact, I was there with Ken Wyatt last weekend. We were in Kelmscott. Let me tell you: Andrew Hastie understands the local area. People are absolutely thrilled to have somebody to replace Don Randall—who they loved—who will stand up and fight for them. They are thrilled to have somebody like him, because ultimately it is not about the CFMEU and it is not about those opposite; it is about the people of Canning and who they have to represent them. Let's talk about the leadership of the Prime Minister of this country. Senator Sterle talked about leadership and good government. Let me talk about one of the other responses from Minister Cash on border protection. Let's have a look at what good government looks like and what she was talking about. The protection of our national borders is one of the primary responsibilities of every government. Senator Sterle: Linda, what about Abbott? Senator REYNOLDS: Instead of just talking about it and passing rude comments over the chamber and making highly personal comments across the chamber, as I have been subjected to again today by Senator Sterle, who seems to have something to say— Senator Sterle: Do you support Abbott? Senator REYNOLDS: let's have a look at it. In six long years under the government of those opposite, Australians witnessed the devastating effect of their weak border protection policies. They lost control of the borders. I will tell you what good leadership does not look like. It does not look like an $11.6 billion budget blow-out on unauthorised arrivals. Fifty thousand people were dehumanised and commoditised by people smugglers in trying to come to this country. That is not good government. Eight hundred boats flooded our shores and, most tragically of all— Senator Sterle: Do you support Abbott? Senator REYNOLDS: Senator Sterle, you might laugh at this, but 1,200 people drowned and experienced most horrific deaths in our waters. Where were you then? Senator Sterle: Mr Deputy President, I rise on a point of order. There was no way known I was smiling about the tragic drowning of people. Senator Reynolds is misleading those listening. That is an absolute insult. I was not. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Sterle has indicated that he has taken offence at something you have said, Senator Reynolds. If you wish to clarify that, I will give you the call. Senator REYNOLDS: I will happily clarify that. When I was talking about these issues, Senator Sterle was sitting there very clearly smiling at me. He may not have smiled when 1,200 people drowned as a result of their border protection policies— Senator Sterle: Mr Deputy President, I rise on a point of order. I was smiling because we were talking amongst ourselves and then Senator Reynolds went into the tragic drownings and accused me of smiling about that, which could not be further from the truth. She is misleading the Senate. I did not smile about the tragic drownings of asylum seekers. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: I think Senator Reynolds has indicated that she did not accuse you of smiling because of that, Senator Sterle. That is correct, isn't it, Senator Reynolds? Senator REYNOLDS: Yes, it is. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Reynolds, for clarifying that. You have the call. Senator REYNOLDS: Let's talk about good government and losing control of the borders. Not only did it directly result in 1200 people drowning—the most horrific and horrendous deaths—but it also completely undermined our humanitarian program, which we also lost control of. What else did bad government from those opposite look like? It started the building the detention centre revolution with over 17 detention centres built to accommodate the loss of control and the people who flooded into this country. Most shamefully, not only were there 1200 deaths and no candlelight vigils for those 1200 people who died in our waters, but there were 8000 children who went into detention under those opposite—nearly 2000 at one time. That is not good governance. What does good government look like? We attained it; we taken the tough actions; we have regained control of our borders; we have had not a single death at sea; and not a solitary boat arrival for well over 12 months. Not a single person has been commoditised and dehumanised by people smugglers in that time in trying to get here. We are releasing the majority of children from detention; the majority have already been released. All children from Christmas Island have now been released—the children whom those opposite put in detention. That is not good government! This is good government. Almost all the detention centres that Labor opened have been made redundant. If those opposite do not think that closing detention centres, stopping people dying at sea and regaining control of our borders do not constitute good government, then I, quite frankly, do not know what is. It is no wonder that the country is in such a mess when you were in government— Senator Gallacher: You can't even mention Abbott's name. Senator REYNOLDS: Tony Abbott, absolutely—it is his leadership of this government—(Time expired)