Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I think it is a little odd that the senator is assuming that I would be able to peer into the minister's mind in a period of questions without notice. I am quite happy to outline the facts that I have at hand, but I am in no position whatever either to agree with the characterisation as outlined by Senator Siewert, to accept it as legitimate, or to peer into the mind of the minister I represent in here. I am happy to present facts. If I have any further facts I will come back to the Senate, but I am not going to address the attempted outrage and the attempted sledging of the minister by Senator Siewert.