Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Government lawyers have told the Federal Court that the government does not owe Centrelink recipients a duty of care. Is this the government's position?

Stuart Robert (Fadden, Liberal Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question. Let me say categorically that we will not be lectured on duty of care by those opposite, who presided over 1,200 deaths at sea. Those opposite have the hypocrisy to walk in here—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will resume his seat. I would just say to the Manager of Opposition Business that I was about to intervene. I would just say to the minister that it was a very specific question and he needs to address the policy topic of the question. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order.

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

I was also going to say that the language of the minister went well beyond what is normally acceptable in this chamber. It would certainly assist the House if he withdrew.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I didn't hear everything the minister said because the interjections were so loud.

Opposition members interjecting—

It's not helping, if you expect me to deal with the point of order, that the interjections continue. I am just making the point that I didn't hear everything the minister said.

Stuart Robert (Fadden, Liberal Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister has withdrawn. The minister has the call.

Stuart Robert (Fadden, Liberal Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. There is no doubt that Australia supports a generous social welfare system as part of our social safety net. The government's primary service delivery arm, Services Australia, always aspires to provide a supportive customer experience. The Australian community expects the agency to be responsible stewards of taxpayer funds and ensure people are only paid what they are entitled to.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will resume his seat for a second. The member for Maribyrnong on a point of order.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On direct relevance. My question was: was a duty of care—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Maribyrnong can resume his seat. I've got the question. It was, as I said, a very specific question. I'm just saying to the minister that he is allowed a brief introduction. He's been doing that for not many seconds at all actually, given the way the answer started, but he will need to bring himself to the specific question or wind up his answer.

Stuart Robert (Fadden, Liberal Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The member's question goes to technical legal matters that are currently before the court. It would be inappropriate to comment further when the matter is under active judicial review.