John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, I listened carefully to Senator Abetz’s question. I think you, Mr Deputy President, Senator Abetz and other senators in the chamber would be aware that I rarely receive, and never ask for, questions from government senators to me during question time. I think the record stands very clear on this. In this case, Senator Hutchins, I know, had a close interest in this particular matter.

From my own perspective, I have to say that I wanted to add to my answer after question time because I did not have an opportunity to provide all the information that I think it was necessary to provide due to the time available and interruptions and the like. Normally I would not worry, but when a senator is asked in a question to provide a guarantee and does not have time to provide the guarantee, there is always a risk that these things might be misinterpreted.

However, in speaking to Senator Abetz’s point, I am making absolutely clear that there was no request from me that this issue be slowed. I have no interest at all in curtailing question time. In fact, I do know that senators and Procedure Committee members are looking at the issue of how we might be able to curtail supplementaries by Senate processes—perhaps by sessional orders and perhaps even by standing orders. I know that is a matter that is currently being considered by senators around the chamber. If there is an insinuation—and I am not suggesting that there was—that there was any request from me or a member of the executive, I can assure you, Senator Abetz, that it would be wrong. If you want to ask me any number of questions, please feel free.