Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Senator Watt. Did the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government meet with Mr Alan Joyce on or around 23 January 2023?

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

I answered a very similar question from Senator McKenzie yesterday, to which I said that Minister King has already put on the record that she did meet with the former CEO of Qantas as well as the CEO of Virgin. That is her usual practice—to speak to the CEOs of major airlines on a regular basis. I know that this is something that Senator McKenzie is determined to keep asking questions on, no matter how many times they are answered, so I can only repeat the answers that I gave yesterday. Senator McKenzie, of course, is entitled to ask whatever questions she wants. We will continue providing the same answers, as we have done now for probably the best part of three months.

I note that overnight, or in the last 24 hours, Minister King has also made the point that the government will be reactivating ACCC monitoring of air passenger services. That was intended by the former government to end on 30 June this year. The former government had agreed to the finalisation of that in June, but of course they're much wiser in opposition than they ever were in government.

A government senator interjecting—

I take the interjection—not a lot wiser. And I also note that the 12 ACCC reports that occurred under the previous government found declining services standards and higher prices by the airlines but were not acted on. Again, it seems to have taken the opposition losing government to actually start caring about any of these issues and continue asking questions which have been answered many times.

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

Senator McKenzie, first supplementary?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Of course she's meeting with the CEOs of both our major airlines—one would hope she would be—but I asked about 23 January, and that hasn't been answered. Minister, next week, as it's estimates, you will be appearing before the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport committee on Minister King's behalf. Will you undertake to seek the relevant information from Minister King's office so that you can provide the committee with a satisfactory answer to what is actually a very straightforward question?

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

As Senator McKenzie knows, it's always my practice to assist the opposition in answering questions. I'm actually looking forward to estimates next week. I think most people have worked out that many of our ministers enjoy appearing at estimates. I'm seeing a lot of nodding heads here. We've got a lot to say next week at estimates. We've got a lot to remind the opposition of about their time in government as well.

The matter that Senator McKenzie is asking about—unfortunately I will not be able to represent Minister King at the infrastructure estimates, because I'll be representing Minister O'Neil in the home affairs estimates. I look forward to seeing Senator Scarr and a number of others there. But Senator Chisholm will do a fantastic job answering those questions.

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

Minister Watt, please resume your seat. Senator McKenzie?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, yes, actually that's what I was looking for. As funny as Mr Watt thinks he is—

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

Senator McKenzie, why are you on your feet? Do you have a point of order? No. Minister, did you want to add to your answer?

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

As I was saying, I know Senator Chisholm will do a terrific job representing Minister King, and Senator Brown will be doing that as well.

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

Order, Minister Watt. Senator McKenzie, please don't call out 'point of order' as you are getting to your feet. Senator McKenzie.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On relevance: whoever is representing Minister King, will they be prepared to go to Minister King and have the question answered?

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

Senator McKenzie, you did ask specifically in relation to Minister Watt, and he has informed the chamber that he will be elsewhere. Minister, did you wish to continue your answer?

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

I'm sure that Senator Chisholm and Senator Brown will do a much better job of answering than Senator McKenzie ever did about sports rorts and various other matters. (Time expired)

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

Senator McKenzie, a second supplementary?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Prior to the election, the Prime Minister promised to bring transparency and integrity back to politics, claiming that only a Labor government would deliver on that promise. How are Australians expected to believe that you have kept your promise, when the Albanese Labor government won't even be up-front about who a minister met let alone reveal the reasoning behind major decisions impacting our economy and the Australian travelling public?

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

Order! I remind those on my right that repeated interjections are disorderly.

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

You do know it is Thursday question time when Senator McKenzie, of all people, wants to talk about transparency in government. Have you still got those spreadsheets? Are they still coloured? I mean, seriously, we're going to take lectures from Senator McKenzie or anyone over on that side of the chamber about transparency? Senator Cash has a lot to say now. Of course, Senator Cash was the Attorney-General who didn't introduce a national anticorruption commission. That is how committed Senator Cash was to transparency. Senator Cash of course refused to co-operate with a police investigation. That is how committed she was to transparency in office and they now want to lecture us.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! Order across the chamber. I have a senator on her feet.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Not going for the person, Murray!

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

Senator Cash! When I call order across the chamber it also applies to you. Senator McKenzie, on a point of order?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Watt is reflecting on other senators in this chamber. He has been called to account several times previously not just by yourself but by other presidents. It is absolutely against standing orders, this continual behaviour. When he feels under attack, he makes it personal every time.

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

I don't believe Minister Watt was using inappropriate language but I will seek the advice of Clerk. Minister Wong?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a submission on the point of order. I think there is a distinction between a personal attack and a criticism that goes to someone's behaviour as a public official. The latter is not a personal attack, no matter what others may say.

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

The Clerk has confirmed my understanding. I don't think, and I am also advised by the Clerk, that the language breached the standards but I will continue to listen closely because I am well aware of the rulings I have made in the past—thank you, Senator McKenzie. Minister Watt.

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

I'm not sure why it is that Senator McKenzie and others think it is appropriate to accuse various Labor ministers of lacking integrity and lacking transparency yet when their own record is pointed out it seems to be against the rules. It is a double standard that seems to apply on these matters.

As I say, this government has delivered on transparency. We have introduced a national anticorruption commission. Senator Farrell is doing work on electoral donations. There are any number of examples we could give. Unfortunately, Senator McKenzie is never happy. (Time expired)