Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence. Has the minister been counselled by the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff for saying that he would not trust ASC to build a canoe?

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It may come as some surprise to Senator Wong, but the answer to that is an emphatic 'No.'

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I refer the minister to comments by Senator Fawcett in the Senate last night, following the minister's censure. In stark contrast to the minister, the senator praised ASC workers, saying that they have:

… the level of skills that you need to build submarines.

Given that the minister's colleagues are openly undermining his authority, isn't it time the minister resigned?

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

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

Order on my right!

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order on both sides!

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, the answer is: 'No.'

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Over the past two days, the minister's Liberal colleagues have said that he is 'wrong', his job is 'untenable', his statements were 'breathtaking' and 'the most stupid words I have ever heard from a senior minister'. Given that the minister has lost the confidence of the Senate, his parliamentary colleagues and the ASC workforce, will he now take the only honourable course of action and resign?

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order on both sides! Order!

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As a result of the competence and work of Senator Wong, I have far too much cleaning up to do!