Julian McGauran (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, and former TWU official, Senator Conroy.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Alan Ferguson (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator McGauran, I would remind you that when addressing a question to the minister that you refer to his proper title. You may now continue with your question.

Julian McGauran (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am referring to the answer given by Senator Evans when he ruled out the need for a judicial inquiry into the TWU. Why then did the government force the architect of the scam, New South Wales State Secretary of the TWU, Mr Sheldon, to withdraw from the National Transport Commission?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I welcome the question from Senator McGauran, one of the more visionary senators on that side. It may come as a surprise to some, but Senator McGauran foresaw the death of the National Party long before the rest when he ratted and moved across—

Alan Ferguson (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The minister will resume his seat.

Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I rise on a point of order. That denigration is beneath even Senator Conroy. He should stick to answering the question and stop denigrating fellow senators.

Alan Ferguson (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just as I reminded Senator McGauran that he should address the question properly, can I suggest to you, Senator Conroy, that the beginning of your answer bore no relation whatsoever to the question. So I would remind you of the question and ask you to respond.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I accept your admonishment, Mr President. As I was saying, for Senator McGauran to be raising these sorts of allegations when he has not got the courage to go outside—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The reports in the media are quite clear. Mr Sheldon withdrew his nomination. He was not forced out. He willingly withdrew. So the question has no basis whatsoever, absolutely no basis in fact whatsoever—other than to say that, unlike Senator McGauran, I am not going to rat on my mates.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Alan Ferguson (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Senate will come to order!

Julian McGauran (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Will the government rule out appointing to the National Transport Commission another representative from the scandal-stricken and corrupt TWU?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those are decisions that are rightly for the consideration of cabinet and I do not intend to canvass issues around cabinet deliberations here today.