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

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. After Prime Minister Morrison was sacked as managing director of Tourism Australia, sources close to the board said in relation to the decision, 'There was no dissent whatsoever.' The board was absolutely unanimous. If the Prime Minister was a competent managing director of Tourism Australia, why was he sacked only a year and a half into his contract by a unanimous decision of the board, without any dissent whatsoever?

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! Before I call Senator Cormann, I remind senators of my demand for silence during questions. Both sides did not follow that just then.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm really pleased that it is Senator Cameron that is asking me this question, because, of course, one of the very strong supporters of Mr Morrison in his job as managing director of Tourism Australia was none other than the subsequent minister for tourism, Senator Cameron's good friend, Martin Ferguson. Martin Ferguson was a very strong and vocal supporter of the outstanding performance of Prime Minister Morrison.

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development (Senate)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise on a point of order, Mr President. The minister is misleading the Senate. Mr Ferguson and Mr Cameron have been good friends—

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

That is a point of humour, maybe, Senator Sterle, but not a point of order. Senator Cormann.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr President. I'm just pointing out the obvious flaws in the premise of the question by pointing out the strong support by the subsequent tourism minister, Martin Ferguson. The other point I would make is that the highly distinguished former chair of Tourism Australia, the former Prime Minister Tim Fischer, was also on the public record indicating what an outstanding job the Prime Minister did as the managing director of Tourism Australia. And I also would refer the Senate to my letter to the President, which was copied to Senator Wong, where I pointed out that I could confirm that the flagship campaign, 'So where the bloody hell are you?' developed under the stewardship of the Prime Minister as managing director, contributed to an additional $2.1 billion in the industry's bottom line over 2007—

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

I rise on a point of order of direct relevance. If he was so competent, why was he sacked after a year and a half?

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

Senator Wong, that is not a point of order.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr President. And I can also confirm that both the 2004-05 and 2005-06 annual reports and financial statements were independently audited by the National Audit Office and found to be a true and fair view of its financial position. I can also confirm that the performance requirements for the Prime Minister's contract at Tourism Australia were fully satisfied. I can also confirm that the number of nights stayed by international visitors increased by 12 per cent, that the tourism spend in Australia increased by 10 per cent. (Time expired)

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

I'm going to ask those on the frontbenches of both sides to lead by example in their behaviour. Senator Cameron, a supplementary question.

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

At the time that Prime Minister Morrison was sacked as managing director of Tourism Australia, Prime Minister Howard backed the board, and the Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Fran Bailey, refused to save the now Prime Minister Morrison. If Prime Minister Morrison was a competent managing director of Tourism Australia, why did Prime Minister Howard refuse to save him?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Morrison is recognised as an outstanding advocate for a stronger tourism sector across Australia. As I indicated to the chamber yesterday, not only has he done a great job promoting tourism across Australia, he also, of course, did an outstanding job fixing up Labor's mess on our borders as immigration minister. He has been highly effective in pursuing welfare reform, getting people from welfare back into work. He's done an outstanding job as Treasurer—

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

Order! Senator Cameron on a point of order.

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

On direct relevance. The question was simple: why did Prime Minister Howard refuse to save him if he were so competent?

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

Senator Cameron has reminded the minister of the question. He has 27 seconds remaining to answer.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr President. I know that the Labor Party is living in the past, whereas we are focused on the future. When I last looked, I was here representing Prime Minister Morrison, not Prime Minister Howard. So, if he wants to ask Prime Minister Howard what his thinking was at the time, I refer him to the honourable former Prime Minister. But, in the meantime, I would say to you that the Australian people know what an outstanding performer the Prime Minister has been in every single portfolio he has had where he has had to pick up Labor's messes— (Time expired)

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

Senator Cameron, a final supplementary question.

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

Given the entire Tourism Australia board, respected former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer, former Minister for Small Business and Tourism Fran Bailey, and former Prime Minister Howard agree that Prime Minister Morrison's judgement couldn't be trusted, why should Australians trust it?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have to say: is that the best the juvenile Labor Party dirt unit can come up with, when the Australian people have watched Prime Minister Morrison perform with distinction in every single ministerial portfolio he has held since we've been the government, from September 2013 and, indeed, beforehand in opposition? Here we've got the Labor Party trying to come up with these juvenile, student-type-politics attacks when, of course, they know and the Australian people know that it was Scott Morrison who fixed up Labor's mess on our borders; it was Scott Morrison who, of course, has led the charge when it comes to—

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

Order! Senator Cameron on a point of order.

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

Yes, on direct relevance. I know that Senator Cormann can't count, but there you are: four respected people in this country have—

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

Senator Cameron, what is the point of order?

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

not been there—

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

Senator Cameron, what is the point of order?

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

He should be dealing with the question.

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

Senator Cameron, the last part of your question was open-ended enough for this minister's response to be considered in order. Senator Cormann.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can only assume that the quality of Labor questions is so low because the staffers in the House of Representatives are not here to hold their hands. Honestly, is this the best you can come up with? Honestly, go harder!