Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Deputy 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 Cormann. Yesterday Deputy Prime Minister Joyce confirmed that his former media adviser was subsequently employed in the offices of Minister Canavan and National whip Damian Drum. Was the staffer paid at an above-the-band salary at any point during her employment with the government?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My consistent advice is no.

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

Yesterday the minister refused to tell the Senate who exercised the Prime Minister's authority under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act to appoint Deputy Prime Minister Joyce's former media adviser to the offices of Minister Canavan and Nationals whip Damian Drum. Given the minister has had 24 hours to check, under what instrument was the Prime Minister's authority delegated, and to whom was it delegated?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I reject the premise of the question. I clearly pointed out yesterday—and I'll point out again—the Prime Minister's office has an administrative role. For decisions in relation to the National Party's allocation of personal staff—as part of our coalition agreement—and the Prime Minister fulfils his function in an administrative fashion, as I have previously indicated.

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

I do have a final supplementary question. Given the significant attention that the appointments have received, can the minister assure the Senate that all requirements under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act and the Prime Minister's Statement of Ministerial Standards were complied with?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.