Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

As I said, if the senator had listened to the primary answer, it is not unusual with ministers—and there would be many precedents on all sides of politics—that, if there is any chance of a potential for a conflict of interest to exist, there be acting arrangements put in place in relation to those particular responsibilities and duties.

I have no doubt that when the Attorney-General and Minister for Workplace Relations returns to work he will continue to pursue the type of work that the government has seen indeed only today, with the passage of legislation through this chamber that's ensuring greater certainty for casual employees and greater certainty for small businesses, and avoiding the risk of some $39 billion of potential liabilities that many business organisations and representatives said could have pushed many businesses over the edge. (Time expired)

Mr President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.