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 representing the Prime Minister, Senator Abetz. Yesterday, the foreign minister, Ms Bishop, said: 'I think people have been very frank and blunt in their assessment of the performance of the Prime Minister's office.' What frank and blunt assessment have ministers and backbenchers expressed to the Prime Minister about the performance of his office?

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

We in the coalition believe in open discussion, frank and blunt discussion, and so it should not surprise the Leader of the Opposition in this place that we are willing to enter into such a dialogue. Can I also say to Senator Wong that as colleagues we give each other frank and blunt assessments of each other as well. But in no way does that mean that because we give each other frank and blunt assessments our friendships are in any way undermined or damaged—because we are the mature adults in the room and we can deal with those sorts of issues, unlike the Australian Labor Party.

We have it here from the Leader of the Opposition, today, saying that somehow having a frank and blunt discussion or assessment is something that a government should never get involved in. Of course it should, because unless you have those frank and blunt discussions you will not perform to your very best ability for the people of Australia whom we at least, on this side, are dedicated to serving.

Can I say to the senator opposite that if Ms Bishop made those comments—I am willing to accept that she made those comments—it would be fair and reasonable to say that we in the coalition do engage in frank and blunt assessments with each other, and long may it continue.

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 to the Prime Minister's commitment that backgrounding against members and senators of this parliament, by his staff, is a sackable offence. Were the staff, in the Prime Minister's office, who leaked details of Senator Sinodinos's resignation from the frontbench sacked and, if not, why not?

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

For the Australian Labor Party to try to come in here and talk about leaking against each other, really, is taking credulity to a new limit. The Prime Minister has said, very clearly, that if a staff member in his office engages in leaking, then there are consequences that will follow, and that is only appropriate.

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

They did! Ask Arthur—I bet he's got a view about it!

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

We have Inspector Clouseau, over here, coming to a conclusion that she has proof. Well, if she has the proof, let it come forward. But, as I understand it, there is no such proof. There is only supposition. But as I had opportunity yesterday to sadly reflect, the fact that the Australian Labor Party comes in here and starts question time with these issues indicates their lack of policy, indicates their lack of ideas and indicates their lack of direction for this nation. (Time expired)

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. I refer to the withering character assessment by the foreign minister and deputy leader of the Liberal Party, Ms Bishop, of the Prime Minister's chief of staff, including that she has 'a lot of opinions'. I ask the minister: does the Prime Minister's chief of staff retain the Prime Minister's confidence?

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

What a devastating assessment of somebody, to say that they have a lot of opinions! I would have thought that would be a requirement of any first-class chief of staff—to have a lot of opinions, to have a lot of ideas, to be able to assess agendas and submissions made to the prime ministerial office. To say that somebody has a lot of opinions is somehow a criticism, I would have thought that was a compliment—

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

Stop the clock. Point of order, Senator Wong.

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

Mr President, I rise on a point of order of relevance. The question simply was: does the Prime Minister's chief of staff retain the Prime Minister's confidence?

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

That is untrue.

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

That was the only question.

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

Order! There is no debate about this.

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

I am sorry, I am responding to the leader.

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

Order! It is not a debating point. There is no point of order. The minister has half the time left to answer his question, and he was addressing the content of the question. Minister, you have the call.

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

Yet again, we have the Australian Labor Party, having been embarrassed by their own question, trying to reword the question. Everybody that heard the question would have heard the Leader of the Opposition say 'the withering assessment', and that is what I was addressing.

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

Go on, back her in—Mathias will back her in! Does the PM maintain confidence in his chief of staff?

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

And, of course, the continual interjections of the Leader of the Opposition—

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

Pause the clock. Senator Moore.

Senator Abetz interjecting—

Senator Wong interjecting—

Order! Minister, and Senator Wong.

Senator Abetz interjecting—

Order, Minister! Point of order.

Senator Wong interjecting—

The clock was paused when asked to be paused, Senator Wong.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sit down! Grow up!

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

He loves telling people—women, particularly—to sit down, in this place.

Government senators interjecting —

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

Order on my right!

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

I appreciate the courtesy, Mr President. Before you deal with Senator Moore's point of order, there have been a number of occasions when you have called another senator, and the microphone is not switched off, and the minister simply continues to speak. So can we at least have, if the minister is no longer supposed to be speaking, the microphone switched off when you direct so?

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

I paused the clock, so the time clock is correct, when the point of order was taken. I appreciate your point, but I can tell you that the noise in the chamber is usually when Senator Abetz is on his feet and it is a loud amount of noise, and it is very difficult for me—let alone the minister—to hear. All senators need to exercise some restraint when the questions get a bit excitable. Senator Moore, you have the call, on a point of order.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. My—

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! Senator Wong, Senator Ronaldson and Senator Collins!

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

I am being yelled at.

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

And you are yelling.

Senator Wong interjecting —

Senator Wong, I do.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My point of order is on direct relevance. There was only one question asked by Senator Wong, and that was: does the Prime Minister's chief of staff retain his confidence? We could check the Hansard. That is the only question that was asked.

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

The minister has been directly relevant to the question. Minister, you have seven seconds left if you wish to continue.

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

When there are preambles to the question, it is appropriate to respond to that preamble. And, yes, the Prime Minister has full confidence in his chief of staff, for the second time in my answer. (Time expired)