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

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. I refer the minister to an article by Simon Benson in TheDaily Telegraph last Friday that quotes a coalition minister, describing one of the Senate's newest members as 'completely stark raving mad'. Did the minister or any of the government's Senate leadership team describe one of their fellow Senators in this way and provide this quote to the journalist?

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can confirm that I have not used such language in relation to any new senator, but I do confess that I may have used such language in relation to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in this place from time to time—of course with no hard feelings, whatsoever! I can indicate that I have not used that language in relation to any new minister. As far as my colleagues are concerned, I am not aware but I would not assume so. If that descriptor was used in relation to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, it would be unkind, it would be uncharitable and it would be unparliamentary but chances are it would be true.

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

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. During the government's shambolic efforts to repeal the carbon tax last week, did the minister describe the amendments being put forward by the Palmer United Party as, 'crazy, crazy, crazy', or was the minister referring to the Palmer United Party senators again?

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The only reference that I made to the Palmer United amendments was 'belts and braces'. In relation to 'shambolic efforts', can I simply remind the Labor Party that they went to the last election on the basis of repealing the carbon tax. If the Australian Labor Party would have come across, as per their commitment to the Australian people—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pause the clock. Point of order.

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

Mr President, on a point of order: with half the time gone, the minister has not denied the allegation.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is not a point of order. The minister is addressing the question. And the question, I might say, is borderline. Minister, you have the call.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I indicated, if there was a shambolic situation last week, it was the Australian Labor Party refusing to abide by their electoral commitments—and need I reach for it again, this document on which they went to the Australian people, saying that they would get rid of the carbon tax(Time expired)

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

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Given the shambles the coalition presided over in this place last week—isn't Senator Macdonald also right when he says:

Sometimes I wonder what the strategies are and we wonder just who is calling the shots there?

Does the minister agree with Senator Macdonald that:

… the leadership needs to understand a little bit better just how it all works in the Senate.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Macdonald and I are on a heated unity ticket on the need to get rid of the carbon tax, and that is all that Senator Macdonald and I are concerned about. It would be fair to say that the leadership of the Australian Labor Party has to make a determination as to where they stand on the carbon tax. Having gone to two elections promising no carbon tax, they have come back and have continued to vote to support the carbon tax. In relation to leadership and bringing people with them, the Labor Party leadership needs to determine its position where it is going to land in relation to the carbon tax. But both Senator Macdonald and I campaigned at the last election for the repeal of the carbon tax. I can understand Senator Macdonald's disappointment that we were not able to achieve that last week. Senator Macdonald and I are hopeful that we can achieve it this week.