Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (11:49): My question is addressed to the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, in his capacity representing the Minister for the Environment. Will the Minister please update the House on the Minns Labor Government's commitment to deliver the Great Koala National Park?
Mr JIHAD DIB (Bankstown—Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Youth Justice) (11:50): I thank the member for Campbelltown for the question. He is an outstanding local member and member of Parliament. Last Sunday was Threatened Species Day, which commemorates the extinction of well-known Australian species like the Tasmanian tiger, the pig‑footed bandicoot, the desert rat-kangaroo and, after this week, we can add another species to that list—the moderate Liberal. If you want to see a rabble replace a once-great political party, have a look at how they fell apart over the Great Koala National Park. We know that, without action, koalas are on track to be extinct—a trait they share with the Liberal Party. The other trait they share is that both the koala and the Liberal Party's greatest threat is the National Party—that is unbearable!
Mr Mark Speakman: Point of order—
The SPEAKER: The Minister will resume his seat.
Mr Mark Speakman: The question was about the Government's commitment, not what unbearable dad jokes the Minister can provide.
The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mr JIHAD DIB: We need a bit of humour. How much can a koala bear? On Sunday the New South Wales Government fulfilled its election promise and announced the proposed boundary for the Great Koala National Park. We hoped it might be a moment of agreement for the alternative government, but it seems they are not "koala-fied". Instead, on Tuesday the member for Manly said:
I am proud of the work done by the former Coalition Government to deliver real and immediate outcomes for koala conservation.
Proud of what? Koalas were listed as endangered in 2022 on the Coalition's watch. Environmental protections were weakened on the Coalition's watch. Some 380,000 hectares of native vegetation were lost on the Coalition's watch. Those opposite were so proud of their record that they took the bold and courageous stance of abstaining, not once but twice, in debate on the Great Koala National Park. They have no position. They are for it and against it at exactly the same time. As a result, they stand for nothing. Last night in the upper House we saw it again. Coalition members voted for amendments to a motion about the Great Koala National Park but then, when it came to the substantive vote, they were like an endangered marsupial scurrying away. [Extension of time]
I have two minutes worth left, Mr Speaker. Where do they stand and what do they stand for? That is a common question being asked by the people of New South Wales. The Liberal strategy on the great issues of the day is not to take a position, but the people of New South Wales deserve to know. Do those opposite support more housing around Woollahra station?
Government members: No.
Mr JIHAD DIB: Do they support net zero?
Government members: No.
Mr JIHAD DIB: Do they support preventing koalas from going extinct?
Government members: No.
Mr JIHAD DIB: Earlier we heard a question about carbon credits, and the shadow Minister said there were no details. That is interesting because the details are publicly available online.
The SPEAKER: The member for Manly will come to order. I will not warn him again. He will be removed from the Chamber if he continues to interject.
Mr JIHAD DIB: As the Premier said, back in 2022 the then Minister—now shadow Minister—lobbied the Albanese Labor Government about carbon credits. That begs the question: Where do they stand? It reminds me of the line from the Spice Girls—
The SPEAKER: Order! I direct the member for Manly to remove himself from the Chamber until the end of question time.
[Pursuant to standing order the member for Manly left the Chamber at 11:54.]
Mr JIHAD DIB: Oh, he is going to miss the best bit. I am reminded of the line from the Spice Girls song, "If you want my future, forget my past." That is much easier said than done. Koalas deserve better than to wonder whether the Liberal Party will support efforts to curb their extinction. After all, how much can they bear? Talking about the Spice Girls, I receive lots of information from all sorts of people and I'll tell you what they want, what they really, really want—they want a party that has unity and cohesion. While those opposite are divided, we are delivering.
