Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

because we know that the President does not have that capacity. But more concerning is the start of that particular statement, where the President says:

Regardless of whether the requirement is for relevance or direct relevance, I cannot direct a minister ...

Implicit in that is a suggestion that perhaps there is not that much difference between a test of relevance and a test of direct relevance. I think that perhaps one of the problems here is that phrases that are often used in this place can sometimes find that their plain meaning becomes faded. I think it is helpful to revisit the plain meaning of these words. The plain meaning of the word ‘relevant’ in the Macquarie Dictionary is:

bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; to the purpose; pertinent: a relevant remark.

As I look at Senator Conroy, I am reminded again of how we never hear anything from Senator Conroy that has bearing upon or is connected with the matter in hand—that is to the purpose, pertinent, a relevant remark. Yesterday was a terrific exposition of that lack of—