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

My question is to the Minister for Agriculture. I refer him to the drought related answer he gave on Monday and corrected in the House late on Wednesday. I also refer him to Hansard, in which the final paragraph of his answer carries the qualifying statements: 'if you were also a recipient of the Interim Farm Household Allowance' and 'unless it was a new application'. Does the minister acknowledge he never used these words, and what role did he or his office play in doctoring the Hansard record?

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will ask the member to rephrase that question, because at the moment it is a serious allegation and other forms of the House are used for that purpose. He may rephrase his question, otherwise he can use other forms of the House.

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

Can the minister explain the inconsistencies between what he said in the House and the Hansard record?

Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party, Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question and reiterate the answer that was given. At present 4,957 applications have been made; 4,098 have been granted. Four hundred and fifty-three have been rejected and 411 customers are receiving payment. This is exactly the same as what I said when I came into the chamber and proceeded to give exactly the numbers that were given to us at 3.30 pm that day.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order: relevance. I respect the severity with which you refer to what was asked in the question. The quotes that were specifically referred to have not been addressed—not one of them has been addressed.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is no argument on the question. This is question time, not argument time. The member will resume his seat.