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

The Prime Minister has indicated that she intends to lead this country in a way that provides transparency about government and about how government operates, and I think our record in the first term in relation to freedom of information and other such matters establishes our credentials in that regard.

In terms of meetings between the Prime Minister and Senator Brown, other than walking down to the end of the chamber and asking Senator Brown, I have not got a recent list of times that Senator Brown and the Prime Minister have spoken. I am sure that if you asked Senator Brown, he would help you in that regard. But certainly the Prime Minister did indicate that she would be meeting with Senator Brown, and I am sure that has occurred. I had a meeting with him myself the other day; he is a very pleasant bloke to have a chat to. We had a good chat. That is part of the normal process of government. I want to have a chat with the Nationals about a couple of education issues as well and I am looking forward to having a chat to Senator Joyce. There are a couple of things that I think we will be able to work on. That is part of the normal way of operating in this place, Senator Abetz. Even you and I have a private conversation on occasions.

But you know that when you have a private conversation with me it is private, and when I have a private conversation with you your record so far has been to keep it private as well. I would expect that people would appreciate that to operate in this place people have private conversations, and those will continue to occur. In terms of any major public policy and issues that arise, no doubt both Senator Brown and the Prime Minister will comment on them in due course. But it is quite commonplace for people to have private conversations, and I am sure that will continue among all senators and parliamentarians. (Time expired)