Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Families and Communities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne. I refer to the minister, who has conceded that the Liberal Party has 'a very serious issue concerning the role of women in the parliamentary process and also in the efforts to engage more across the community'. I also refer to reports that Senator Payne chaired a recent meeting where the Liberal member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis, lost control of her FEC. Can the minister confirm she chaired the meeting and, if so, whether the minister observed any behaviour which confirmed the concerns she has raised?

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

I note some chatter around the chamber. This does refer to a public statement. I do consider the question to be in order, in reference to the public statement. I take it that the second reference was also a reference to a report that is in the public domain. So I do, on that basis, consider the question to be in order.

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McAllister has referred to remarks that I have made which are on the record, and they are certainly remarks from which I don't resile. I know that I will work closely with my colleagues to make efforts in relation to these matters. In relation to her second question, I would not normally discuss matters concerning internal meetings of the Liberal Party organisation, and I suspect she would not discuss matters concerning the internal meetings of the Labor Party.

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

Senator McAllister, a supplementary question.

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Families and Communities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Monday Ms Sudmalis complained of a culture in the Liberal Party of 'bullying, betrayal and backstabbing'. Did the senator observe any behaviour consistent with Ms Sudmalis's complaint? If so, has she advised the Prime Minister or his office of the behaviour?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Senate can take it as read that, if I observed behaviour of that nature, I would do something about it. I am not going to discuss the internal meetings of the Liberal Party in the Senate chamber.

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

Senator McAllister, a further supplementary question.

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Families and Communities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In response to Ms Sudmalis's complaint, the Liberal Party's vice-president has said, 'Women always want the spoils of victory without the fight.' Has the minister discussed these comments with the Prime Minister or his office and, if so, what action will he take in response?

Senator Gallacher interjecting—

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

That's not helpful, Senator Gallacher.

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm reasonably confident, having been here for a considerable period of time and knowing the efforts it takes to get here in the first place, that there's not a single person here in the parliament who hasn't made strenuous efforts to achieve that outcome and work very hard for it in the process.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Silence during questions, please.