Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a statement concerning ministerial arrangements.

Leave granted.

An opposition senator: There's been a coup.

No, there hasn't been a coup.

Opposition senators interjecting—

I know you missed me all last week. I heard the demand.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Politics is full of surprises, let me tell you. Sorry, I better get going. I advise changes to ministerial arrangements. Senator Wong, unfortunately, will be absent from the Senate this week for personal reasons. In her absence, I am Acting Leader of the Government in the Senate.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Hear, hear!

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Watt. In Senator Wong's absence, ministers will represent portfolios at question time in accordance with the letter circulated to the President, party leaders and Independent senators.