Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence. Will the Minister for Defence confirm that he told this House on 25 February that not one special forces soldier has been financially disadvantaged by the SAS pay debacle, and I quote:

No special forces soldier in this country has a debt against his name because of the way in which Defence has implemented the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal’s decision—end of story.

Does the minister stand by his statement?

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let me take the Leader of the Opposition through the history for his benefit. When this matter was first brought to my attention, I immediately put a stop on any recovery action. Then on 18 February, by way of a Chief of Army directive, we extinguished all debts. I then put in place a remediation plan, which is ongoing. I then appointed an independent mediator to liaise with families who might not be prepared to come forward and talk to senior Defence leadership and/or me. I then appointed an independent auditor—

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. This is a very serious question on a very serious matter because it goes to a statement the minister made in the House. The opposition has asked him whether he stands by that statement. That is all we have asked.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the point of order on relevance?

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At 45 seconds into the answer I think the Minister for Defence is addressing the matters raised in the question.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order—

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He said that after that, Albo!

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for North Sydney will leave the chamber for one hour under standing order 94A because I warned you earlier on.

The member for North Sydney then left the chamber.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Are you going to apologise before you go?

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Leader of the House will let things go.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. My point of order goes to disruptive conduct. It is quite clear that the Manager of Opposition Business and others opposite have a clear strategy to disrupt question time by moving frivolous points of order.

Barry Haase (Kalgoorlie, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Haase interjecting

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the House will resume his seat. The member for Kalgoorlie will withdraw.

Barry Haase (Kalgoorlie, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I am astounded that you would ask me to withdraw such an accusation of one who is on the record as being in the gutter on every occasion!

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I warn the member for Kalgoorlie! Will the member for Kalgoorlie withdraw?

Barry Haase (Kalgoorlie, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If it pleases the Speaker, I withdraw, Mr Speaker.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member knows that he has to withdraw without any condition.

Barry Haase (Kalgoorlie, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The point of order raised by the Leader of the House indicates a very difficult position for occupants of the chair because it is about perceptions of what the intent or otherwise might be of those who raise the points of order. I know that from time to time there are members who think that I might be a bit more charitable in the way in which I reflect upon the intentions of those raising the points of order, but on this occasion I do not believe that the intent of the point of order was disruption. I simply say to the Manager of Opposition Business that on this occasion, given the nature of the question, as practice indicates, one cannot expect a ‘yes or no’ direct answer to the last part of the question when there were other matters introduced in the question. I think that on this occasion it is clear that the Minister for Defence is being relevant to the question.

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I then appointed an independent auditor to ensure all of my directives had been followed and fully implemented. His work is ongoing. Last Wednesday I travelled to Perth and attended Campbell Barracks. After meeting with around 120 soldiers to talk about more general issues, such as the coming white paper, I met with around 30 soldiers and, in some cases, their partners to work through with them any outstanding issues. I will continue to work through any outstanding issues to ensure that the men and women of the Defence Force are getting all the support they need and deserve. I will leave it to the opposition to continue to play politics with the men and women of the ADF.