Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Payne. Last week Senator Payne attended a meeting with Mr Morrison, Mrs Archer and Mr Frydenberg. Who made the request for this minister to attend this meeting and when was that request made?

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

I thank Senator McAllister for the question. I was already in the Prime Minister's office for a meeting on another matter and I was asked to remain in the office.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McAllister, a supplementary question?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Was the minister aware that Mrs Archer had asked that the meeting be postponed?

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

In response to Senator McAllister's question, no, I was not specifically aware that there had been a request for the meeting to be postponed. I was simply asked to remain in the Prime Minister's office, where I had been for another meeting.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McAllister, a second supplementary question?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister confirm Mrs Archer, in her own words, 'spent the first half of the conversation crying and apologising'?

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

I'm not going to comment on a private meeting between the Prime Minister and colleagues.