Whish-Wilson, Sen Peter

Senator WHISH-WILSON (Tasmania) (10:40): Again, I ask senators to reflect on the fact that, when this debate started this morning, in a committee room only 50 metres away those who were interested were receiving evidence from department officials as to exactly how they are conducting their response into both the varroa mite outbreak in New South Wales, which is very serious, and the measures put in place to reduce the risk of a potentially very serious foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. I'd also like senators to reflect on the fact that I understand that it's important to put pressure on the government, to needle them, to make sure there's transparency, so they know they're being watched closely in acting to do everything they possibly can. That's a critical part of politics, but it's sounding to me in this chamber this morning, when we've had debate ranging from marijuana psychosis, through to mad Mal's vaccine denial and a whole range of other— The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Whish-Wilson, please refer to your colleagues in the appropriate manner. Senator WHISH-WILSON: vaccine denial—I withdraw that comment. The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Thank you. I have Senator Scarr on his feet. Was that on the point of order I ruled on, Senator Scarr? Senator Scarr: My point of order is with respect to a fellow senator from Queensland. I think Senator Whish-Wilson should specifically withdraw the comment in relation to Senator Malcolm Roberts. The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: He has withdrawn that, Senator Scarr. Senator WHISH-WILSON: I did specifically withdraw that comment. I'll say: Senator Roberts's and One Nation's vaccine denial, as pointed out by the minister yesterday, is hardly the political party you want to be taking advice from. There has been a complete disregard of experts and there have been the comments that somehow the experts who have given evidence to senators and MPs about the risk of this being spread by a feral species are scientists for hire—really? It's almost sounding like the opposition wants some kind of foot-and-mouth outbreak so they can make political advantage out of it, which I think is appalling. I think it is absolutely appalling. You would be forgiven for thinking, if you'd listened to the quality of debate we've had from these people on the other side of the chamber yesterday morning and this morning, that actually they want an outbreak in this country so they can turn it to their political advantage. It has been pointed out continually that this kind of fearmongering, raising anxiety and alarm, is not helping anyone; it is counterproductive. I'm all for holding a government to account. The Senate is going to do that. The National Party and Liberal Party will be chairing that inquiry. We will look at this very closely, but do not make this situation worse to your own political advantage. (Time expired.) The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: The time for the debate has expired. The question is that the Senate take note of the explanation provided by the minister. Question agreed to.