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

As I said to Senator Minchin: he really ought to go to the tactics committee meetings! I dispute the premise of Senator Ryan’s question. The ministers responsible are answerable to the parliament. They are in the parliament now. They are answering questions proposed by the Liberal opposition. So, if you do have questions, they can be asked at this very moment, directly of those ministers.

As for Senator Arbib, he is sitting right there—eager to respond to any questions asked of him! So you have the ability to hold the government to account. That is what the parliament is in part for. The ministers are available to answer questions for you. It seems to me that you do not like the answers you are getting. But the ministers are responsible, they are taking responsibility for their portfolios and they are available in the parliament at this very moment to answer any questions you have of them. (Time expired)