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Thursday, 26 June 2014
Page: 4137

Senator IAN MACDONALD (Queensland) (18:01): I have just heard Senator Furner give a very eloquent speech—perhaps his last in this chamber at least for the present time—talking about the science work done in JCU and in the North generally, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is certainly part of that overall scientific grouping in the North. For many of the speakers who took part in the last debate on the budget, that was their last major contribution to the Senate. They all did a wonderful job promoting their particular views on the budget. My only comment on the debate is that the hard work of the Abbott government in fixing the financial mess that our government finds itself in because of the previous government will mean that those leaving us will live a better future—their future lives will be better, as will be those of their children and grandchildren.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority does a great job and I do want to speak more about that at some later time. At this moment I simply seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.