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

Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave granted.

I thank the Senate. The sharing of private contact details or personal confidential arrangements in relation to any member of parliament—indeed, in relation to any individual—without their consent and knowledge is inappropriate and should not occur, and the government does not accept it. That is why, indeed, I spoke to Senator Lambie prior to question time and the government, along with other parties, agreed that Senator Lambie should be facilitated to make the statement she has made to this Senate, to draw attention to the issue and to seek to have an apology recorded, as would be the appropriate thing. As I recall, Senator Wong referenced that debate before and I recall my own remarks at the time on the importance of civility in the conduct of our political debate, the importance of us actually debating on the issues, not the person. That is something that I hope and trust we might see as we enter question time today, that we debate on the issues, not the person. That is crucial at all stages.

It is important, though, when we are having these debates, that we respect the differences of others and we respect their rights here as duly elected people, no matter how vehemently we may disagree with them and no matter how strongly we may engage in debates in this place. If we keep it on the issues and if we respect the rights of each other to be here, we can maintain a civility and a decency of conduct that the Australian people rightly expect. The government was willing, and I believe others are willing, to provide Senator Roberts the ability to make an apology, if that is the intention of Senator Roberts in terms of the publication of Senator Lambie's mobile phone numbers. It is a matter for Senator Roberts to make clear in seeking leave what his intent is.