Liberal member for Indi Sophie Mirabella on the Occupy Wall Street movement:

“They boldly claim ‘we are the 99%’ — it’s their official catchcry — so unless you consider yourself among the uber-rich and powerful, these folks are your new voice. So they’ll be speaking for you when they wave their glib and nebulous placards declaring ‘people not profits’ and ‘be the solution’. (I am not making these up — this is the print-ready poster artwork available on their website.)

“… Protest against a policy, protest against a corrupt government if you want — but protesting against democracy and capitalism just seems so … well … laughable, pointless and politically adolescent.”

Sophie Mirabella on the anti-carbon tax movement, and the rally that she appeared at on March 22:

“These people are ordinary Australians who are struggling with the cost of living and are frightened about losing their jobs and consigning factories to fields of tumble weeds …

“It is derogatory towards those who oppose the carbon tax and inappropriate.

“While a banner with inappropriate language is regrettable, there are those in the past who opposed Coalition policy with physical actions of outrage.

“The great thing to see is people engaged in the political process and we should not dwell on a few banners.”