Catryna Bilyk (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. I refer to the former Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senate Abetz, who said:

It would be fair to say that we in the Liberal Party do need to reflect—especially on the national campaign—as to why we did not resonate in Tasmania.

Does the minister agree that the Liberal Party's national campaign is responsible for the party's electoral failure in Tasmania?

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

I am just reflecting as to whether or not that is a matter directed to the portfolio. I will allow the minister to answer the question.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Through you, Mr President: Senator Bilyk, I have not seen Senator Abetz's remarks.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have not seen Senator Abetz's remarks and therefore I am not at liberty to comment on them. But, might I remind you, Senator Bilyk, that there was only one winner at this election, and that was the coalition.

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

Senator Bilyk, a supplementary question?

Catryna Bilyk (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am sorry that Senator Abetz does not get paid some attention by Senator Brandis. I refer again to Senator Abetz, who said:

If we keep going full steam ahead and pretend that nothing happened on July 2 other than a huge mandate for us, we will be going to an electoral disaster in 2019.

Does the minister agree with Senator Abetz that the election failed to deliver a mandate to the Turnbull government?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said to you, Senator Bilyk, I have not seen Senator Abetz's remarks, so I am not in a position to comment on them.

Catryna Bilyk (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In my second supplementary question I refer to Senator Brandis's own words when he says 'disunity is death'. Has he expressed this view to Senator Abetz?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Bilyk, I have heard that observation made by many and I have probably made it myself. Perhaps you have made it yourself in reflecting on the affairs of the Australian Labor Party. When I look at the array in front of me of the Australian Labor Party, all I see is a group of people who are united by nothing but mutual hatred and loathing—mutual hatred and loathing.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I see Senator Gavin Marshall, the esteemed former Deputy President of the Senate, cannot conceal his agreement with my remarks. That generous, broad smile of yours, Senator Marshall, conceals the wounds that you have suffered as a result of the disunity, the backstabbing, the Machiavellianism and the disgraceful conduct inflicted upon you by those who, in a previous existence, you used to call comrades.