Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Abetz. Senator, can you confirm that, under the constitution of the Tasmanian division of the Liberal Party of Australia, you were a member of the division's executive committee at the time that the then state director, Mr Damien Mantach, fraudulently misused his Liberal Party credit card, for which he was effectively sacked? When this issue became public a few weeks ago, why did you mislead the Australian people by claiming that the issue was one for the Tasmanian Liberal Party organisation, when in fact you were a part of that organisation by virtue of your membership of the executive committee? Exactly what were you trying to hide? Finally, you have admitted that you were briefed at the time—I note that he is a bit uncomfortable over there, Mr President—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order on my right and my left! Before I call the minister to respond, Senator McKim, most of that question is not in order because it does not necessarily relate to policy portfolio positions or the minister's representative responsibilities. However, I will invite the minister to answer any portion of that question that he wishes to answer.

Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I rise on a point of order. The standing orders make it clear that questions may be put to ministers relating to public affairs. In fact, Odgers says this—

Government senators interjecting—

They are a bit uncomfortable over there. I think I might have hit a raw nerve. I have noticed in my political career that the louder they get, the more uncomfortable they are. Odgers says:

Questions may be put to a minister relating to the public affairs with which the minister is officially connected, to proceedings pending in Parliament, or to any matter of administration for which the minister is responsible in a personal or representative capacity.

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

Senator McKim, that 'personal or representative capacity' means personally as a minister or representing another minister. I stand by my original ruling that that question is not in order. However, I will invite the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Abetz, to answer any portion of that question if he chooses to do so.

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

I think the Senate today has been provided with a window into the roaring success that Mr McKim was as leader of the Greens in Tasmania, when his party representation was decimated by 40 per cent. I issued a statement in relation to this matter, I think it was on either 27 or 28 August, and I have nothing further to add.

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

Senator McKim, if you have a supplementary question it must relate to the primary question but, again, I will give the same extension to the minister if he wishes to answer any portion of that supplementary question.

Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I appreciate that. I ask a supplementary question. Senator Abetz, you have admitted that you were briefed in relation to those matters at the time, but you have astoundingly claimed that:

No sum of money was mentioned.

And that:

No advice was sought or offered.

They are direct quotes from you. Are those statements admissions of your complete incompetence and your wilful ignorance or are you lying to the Tasmanian and Australian people about your level of knowledge at the time?

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

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

Order! Senator McKim, as to the final part of your question, I will rule it out completely, in relation to the honesty or otherwise of the minister. I invite the minister to answer any portion of that question which he wishes to answer.

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

As is the want, unfortunately, of a number of people on that side of the chamber, Senator McKim has only quoted part of that which was in the public statement that I issued. If Senator McKim had read the full extent of it into the Hansard record, he would not have made those unfortunate personal reflections, which he is a master of doing. I know that the Greens like to hand it out to everybody else and then squeal when anybody ever says anything about their motives. I simply say that I made a full statement in relation to this matter and I have nothing further to add.

Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I would preface my question by observing that it is not over just because the senator says that it is. Senator Abetz, do you accept responsibility for exposing the Victorian division of the Liberal Party to the loss of $1.5 million at Mr Mantach's hands? How could you possibly think that it was a good idea not to tell your colleagues in Victoria about Mr Mantach? Will you now apologise to them and their members for treating them like mushrooms?

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

Minister, again, any portion of the question you wish to answer or any statement you wish to make, you may. If you do not wish to answer any portion of that question, you do not need to.

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

Through all of Senator McKim's ramble, I think the answer to the first question is no. In relation to the second matter, I have nothing further to add. The circumstances have now been well and truly laid out. The circumstances have been put there for all to see. It seems to have satisfied everybody other than Inspector Clouseau! Senator McKim, if you want the Greens leadership, you have to do a lot better than that.