Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, on the point of order: the first point is that Senator Scullion is the representative of the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in this chamber. He is responsible for those matters and is therefore responsible for answering questions on behalf of the government, which include the behaviour of its members and the attitude of the government. So it is perfectly reasonable for the question to be asked of Senator Scullion. Further, there is no point of order in relation to police inquiries. Police inquiries may well be occurring. This goes to the question of the behaviour of the minister and the behaviour of members of the government, and how that reflects on them and government policy. There have been no charges laid, there are no court proceedings underway, as I understand it, and therefore there is no reason why the government should not be held accountable in this chamber.