Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Farrell. Last year the Prime Minister promised cheaper electricity, cheaper mortgages, cheaper cost of living and better pay, but instead Australians have been left with the highest interest rates in 12 years, real wage decline, skyrocketing inflation on fuel and groceries and crippling energy bills. Why are Australians paying the price for the Prime Minister's mismanagement and broken promises to lower costs?

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

I thank Senator Colbeck for his question. My recollection, Senator Colbeck, was that you were sitting over here somewhere before the last election and you were making decisions that now contribute to all of the economic issues—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator Colbeck?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On direct relevance: my question was about the Prime Minister's promises, not about where I was sitting in the last term of parliament, and I would ask you to draw the minister to the question.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will draw the minister to the question, but I also remind you, Senator Colbeck, there was quite considerable preamble to that question, which the minister is also entitled to go to. Minister Farrell, please continue. I have drawn you to the question.

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

Unlike the former government, we do understand the pressure that's on households in all of the areas which you just mentioned. Can I say what this government, the Albanese government, is doing is putting downward pressure on all of those cost-of-living issues. Remember this: when you had the opportunity to put a cap on gas that would push electricity prices down, what did you do? You voted against it.

One issue that you've mentioned is wages. What has this government being doing? Finally, we're getting some movement in wages, which your government—don't you remember Senator Cormann? He said it was part of your economic strategy to keep wages low. This government is all about trying to deal with the issue of cost of living, to push up wages and to assist those hardworking Australians— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Colbeck, a first supplementary?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister promised to bring Australians together in the national interest. Labor's mismanagement and failure to listen on its Voice proposal is dividing Australians. Why are Australians paying the price of the Prime Minister's mismanagement and broken promises to unite the nation?

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

I'm disappointed in that question from you, Senator Colbeck, because this Prime Minister has gone out of his way to try and unite Australians by providing recognition for Indigenous Australians through a voice to this parliament, so I completely reject your proposition. Can I talk about some of the things that the Albanese government—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Brown!

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

has done to assist those people who are finding it tough in the current environment. We've made child care cheaper. We're making medicines cheaper and historic investments in Medicare. We've provided pay rises for aged-care workers, increased the minimum wage and delivered 480,000 fee-free TAFE positions. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Colbeck, a second supplementary?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister promised that when he was elected there would be transparency, accountability and integrity. But the bungled Qatar decision, the ministerial use of RAAF VIP flights, and NDIS costings all demonstrate that Labor is not interested in transparency or accountability.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Watt!

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why are Australians increasingly being kept in the dark because of the Prime Minister's mismanagement and broken promises?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call the minister to answer the question, I remind senators—

Senator Payne!

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

Kick her out!

The:

Order!

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm sure there's something in the standing orders against breaches of the Geneva Convention against torture by ministers not answering questions.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Payne, as I think this is your last day we'll allow that on the voices. Before I call the minister, the interjections across the chamber are disorderly and disrespectful. I ask all senators to listen in silence. Minister Farrell.

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

To the point of order, you won't have to do it anymore! I completely reject the premise of that question.

What a cheek! You were sitting in the cabinet while Scott Morrison, the former Prime Minister, was acquiring ministry after ministry after ministry. He didn't even know that Prime Minister Morrison was the real—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Colbeck, on a point of order?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am sorry to prolong Senator Payne's misery a little longer with another point of order but I do so on direct relevance. My question was about the Prime Minister's broken promises, not about anything that happened in the previous parliament.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Colbeck. I will remind the minister of your question. Minister Farrell.

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

I've finished my answer. President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.