Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, 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 Birmingham. The Prime Minister has, for almost two years, refused to answer any questions about his friendship with prominent QAnon supporter Tim Stewart. Why?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am surprised that Senator Wong has framed the question in that way. Let me make it very clear, as the Prime Minister has, that he sees QAnon as being a discredited and dangerous fringe group. The Prime Minister has been very clear in his condemnation of the organisation, his rejection of the approaches of it and very clear in relation to the fact that the Prime Minister takes his security advice from the nation's security agencies. The Prime Minister could not have been clearer in that regard. The fact that those opposite may wish to ask questions about the husband of a friend of the Prime Minister's wife is a question for them. The Prime Minister's position in relation to the security advice and briefings he receives and his actions upon those has been clear, as has his condemnation of this organisation.

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

Senator Wong, a supplementary question?

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

Thank you, Mr President. If the Prime Minister believes QAnon to be as dangerous as he claims, can he explain why he failed for almost two years to repudiate the claims made by his good friend and QAnon supporter Mr Stewart, including that the term 'ritual sexual abuse' came to appear in the Prime Minister's speech at Mr Stewart's request? These are claims that Mr Stewart has made. Why has the Prime Minister not repudiated them?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister doesn't go around repudiating individual statements that are made across the nation. The Prime Minister has made clear, as I said in my primary answer, the fact that he repudiates QAnon—full stop.

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

Senator Wong, a final supplementary question?

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

For months, Mr Morrison tried to keep secret his request that his friend Brian Houston be invited to the White House. For nearly two years, he has been secretive about his relationship with Mr Stewart. Why is Mr Morrison so secretive about some of the company he keeps?

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I hear some of the interjections from behind me. It is astounding that here we are at 2.52 pm, coming through question time—the first parliamentary sitting week since the budget week—and I've sat here all question time and there's not been a single question about the budget or the economy. But, of course, why is that? Why is that from those opposite. It must have something to do with having a good economy.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! Senator Wong, on a point of order?

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

Yes, Mr President, on direct relevance. The question does go to the Prime Minister's refusal to be transparent. If the minister now wants to answer all the unanswered questions on notice, I will give him leave to do so now.

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

You reminded the minister of the question. He has 36 seconds remaining to answer. Senator Birmingham.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has addressed the substantive issues here in terms of his repudiation of QAnon and that organisation.

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

No, he has not.

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

Order!

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

But those opposite won't address the matters that are actually of interest to Australian families: their jobs; the economy; the fact that this side of politics has ensured that we have more jobs and an economy coming back stronger than anywhere else in the world; and the fact that this side of the parliament has made sure that Australians have more in their pockets thanks to our tax cuts—and those opposite won't say whether or not they will support them into the future. That's the contrast. That's the clarity for us. We are working for Australian families. (Time expired)