Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Nash, the Minister representing the Minister for Health. I refer to the minister's statement yesterday:

All of us in this chamber know that smoking causes great harm to Australians; leads to death from cancer and lung and heart disease; and hurts families.

Can the minister confirm that, over the past 10 years, the National Party has received at least $358,000 from big tobacco in political donations?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I cannot confirm that. Those matters are matters for the federal secretariat.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister tell the Senate why the National Party continues to support big tobacco as legitimate businesses for the purposes of political donations despite her tough words in this chamber yesterday?

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

Before I call the minister, that question—

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

Mr President—

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

Just a minute, Senator Wong; I haven't finished speaking yet. Senator Wong—a point of order?

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

The question goes to a statement made by the minister yesterday. I would suggest to you that the statement made yesterday, which is what is referenced in the supplementary, is—

Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—

Senator Bernardi interjecting—

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

Order! Senator Bernardi and Senator Macdonald.

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

I suggest to you as you consider your ruling on this that this goes directly to a statement the minister—

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

You can't argue with the President.

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

Order! I will determine that, Senator Macdonald. Senator Wong.

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

I am seeking to address it prior to him ruling.

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

Order! Senator Wong, don't argue with senators. You are addressing me.

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

With respect: I wouldn't have to argue with them if they didn't keep interjecting. The primary question quoted the minister's statement yesterday. The supplementary questions contrast that statement with the position of the National Party. I would submit to you that it is perfectly in order.

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

You are right; questions can occur or be made towards statements made, but the statement had no reference whatsoever to the National Party or its fundraising. I will allow the minister to answer any part of that question she wishes to.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Decisions about donations are a matter for the federal organisation, and questions relating to those should be referred to the federal organisation.

Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—

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

Order! Senator Macdonald, I will warn you.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Why does the minister hold responsibility for tobacco policy despite her party receiving political donations from big tobacco? How much of the minister's last campaign for a Senate seat was funded by big tobacco?

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

I will allow the minister to answer any part of that question she deems that she would like to answer.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Of course I can confirm for the Senate that this coalition government is absolutely focused on reducing smoking rates. As to the second part: any questions relating to donations should be referred to the federal organisation.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

On my left. Order!

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

Mr President, I rise on a point of order. I am trying to listen to the answer but I cannot hear over the constant interjections of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and I ask you to bring her to order. She consistently and continuously yells at everybody.

Senator Cameron interjecting—

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

Senator Cameron. On the point of order, Senator Cameron?

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The point of order is on hypocrisy.

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

There is no point of order, Senator Cameron.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! Order!

Opposition senators interjecting—

On my left. Twice today, senators have raised points of order in relation to interjections. I remind all senators that they are disorderly. It is very difficult for me to hear, let alone for others to hear in the chamber, both questions and answers.