Opened the debate
Hanson argued that the government had effectively doubled the purchase price of Rushy Lagoon to approximately $142 million, pricing out local Australian buyers. Hanson contended that taxpayers were forced to fund a $69 million equity investment via the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and an additional $8.8 million for tree planting to generate carbon credits. Hanson claimed this deal sacrificed productive agricultural land and food security for climate change policies, leading to job losses in the beef, dairy, and cropping sectors. Hanson raised concerns about a conflict of interest involving Steven Skala, who sat on both the Clean Energy Finance Corporation board and the Foreign Investment Review Board. Hanson called on the Treasurer to reconsider the transaction, comparing it unfavourably to the Port of Darwin deal.