Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Regional Communications, Senator McKenzie. Does the minister retain full confidence in Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I do.

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Carr, your colleague is waiting to ask a question. Senator Gallacher, a supplementary question.

Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the Nationals party room retain full confidence in Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, the Nationals party room, led by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and me, have made very, very clear our support of the Prime Minister.

Senator Cameron interjecting—

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senators Cameron and Carr, you have been particularly voluble this question time, and we're only 11 minutes in. Senator Gallacher, a final supplementary question.

Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister confirm that, had this morning's leadership ballot been a vote of a joint party room, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull would not be Prime Minister?

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On my left, I remind senators that question time is generally a forum for the opposition—you take up your own time. Senator Gallacher, you will be aware of standing orders that mean that questions should not include hypotheticals. I will call the minister to address the parts of the question that she wishes to, but, for questions for the remainder of question time, senators should keep that in mind.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Gallacher—through you, Mr President—the coalition is made up of two separate parties. One is nearly 100 years old—the National Party, of which I'm deputy leader. And for the 45-odd years that the Liberal Party have been in existence—we don't vote on their leadership matters. We never have and we never will, because we're two separate parties, and that is how it should be.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Senator Jacinta Collins interjecting—

Senator Collins! If I call senators to order I expect them to be silent for at least a short period.