David Coleman (Banks, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese government is tearing itself apart over gambling advertising policy, and this unseemly spectacle is playing out in public because the Sydney Morning Herald tells us on the gambling laws, 'There are divergent views … among cabinet ministers'. The Financial Review says it is 'also aware of cabinet ministers who are uncomfortable with Labor's position' and also tells us, very interestingly, 'When Rowland updated cabinet this week about the government's response to the inquiry'—

Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will remind the member for Banks that you've been here long enough to know you should not use personal words but the correct titles of members.

David Coleman (Banks, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm quoting the Financial Review.

Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, a quote does not give you protection on this matter. You know the standing order well.

David Coleman (Banks, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I meant the Minister for Communications, Deputy Speaker. There's a problem with that, because you can only say to someone who works at a newspaper what happened at cabinet if you are at the cabinet meeting, and you're not supposed to do that. The government asked people to sign nondisclosure agreements to not talk about gambling advertising policy, but they forgot to ask their own cabinet ministers to sign that document, because they're telling anyone who will listen how dissatisfied they are with the shocking conduct of the Minister for Communications. This is a weak and incompetent government.