Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. I refer to the code of conduct for ministers, section 1.3 part (iii), published in June 2022, personally signed by the Prime Minister, which states: 'Ministers must accept that they are accountable for the exercise of the powers and functions of their office—that is, ensure that their conduct, representations and decisions … are open to public scrutiny.' Why is the Prime Minister failing to enforce this principle, deliberately withholding draft legislation from public scrutiny and requiring nondisclosure agreements be signed before stakeholders can scrutinise these proposed laws?

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

In relation to the first part of the question, yes, I acknowledge the ministerial code. I don't think the question actually went to any aspect of that other than the second part of the question, which related to draft legislation. Senator, you didn't say which draft legislation you were referring to, so I am not sure what—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order!

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

I'm not sure which legislation you refer to, Senator.

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! Members of the Opposition, this is not your question but, in any event, you should be listening in respectful silence. Minister Wong.

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

If it is the religious discrimination act—and I assume, given previous discussions, it is—the advice I have is this. Obviously there's been a long discussion on religious discrimination. Since 2016, there have been 10 inquiries, over 260 hearings and consultations, and 70,000 submissions. I understand that there have been targeted and confidential consultations, which is not an unusual process. The advice I have in the brief that I've been provided with is that no stakeholder has been asked to sign an NDA in relation to the religious discrimination bill. No stakeholder has been asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement. If I'm incorrect on that and on the advice I've received, I'll certainly come back to the chamber.

This is a difficult bill. As you know, it has had a long period of discussion. These matters were raised by Prime Minister Turnbull, I think, originally and then by Prime Minister Morrison as well. We are conscious of the importance, on something such as religious discrimination, of trying to engage in this discussion in a way which is respectful and in which we seek to bring Australians together.

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

Senator Hanson, first supplementary?

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to commentary about the so-called Nature Positive Plan by economic expert Robert Gottliebsen, published in the Australian newspaper two weeks ago, which said:

The Albanese government is embracing some of the worst practices of dictator-driven governments to conceal controversial environmental measures.

He also referred to stakeholders being required to sign NDAs, or non-disclosure agreements, to see just part of this plan. Does the Prime Minister believe this conduct is compatible with the principles of the Code of Conduct for Ministers?

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

Senator, you asked first about religious discrimination and now about the EPBC reform—

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Hanson

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My point of order is on relevance—I never mentioned the religious discrimination bill at all in any part of my question.

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

Thank you, Senator Hanson. Minister Wong.

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

You're quite correct, Senator. I inferred infer that from the interjections. You nodded when they interjected, so I assumed that that was the legislation you were referring to. If you were referring to the nature positive bill—which, I think, is the EPBC reform—I understand that consultation on drafts of the new laws is continuing and that there is a broad view. We need to deal with laws which are seen by many as ineffective and inefficient—obviously, people's perspective depends on which side they are in that discussion. The advice I have is that experts from almost 100 groups are examining draft parts of the legislation to make sure that the laws will be as effective as possible, and we will keep engaging with— (Time expired)

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

Senator Hanson, second supplementary?

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister never answered that question. Actually I referred to NDAs being signed and made no reference to that whatsoever. With nine bills guillotined in the Senate today—forced through with no debate or scrutiny, and bringing the total of guillotined bills to 96 in this parliament—the Prime Minister is acting like a Third World dictator. When will the Prime Minister—

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

Senator Hanson, withdraw that comment.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw that comment. When will the Prime Minister resign in disgrace for his failure to uphold the principles of Australian democracy and the Code of Conduct for Ministers which bears his signature?

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

Senator, I and this government are a party that believes in democracy and participates in the democracy. We are a democratically elected government. We work with the parliament, including in this chamber—

Senator Ruston, if you—

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

Senator Ruston, you are being incredibly disorderly. The minister is still speaking. She's got 32 seconds to go. If you have so much to say, I invite you to participate in taking note of answers. Minister Wong, did you wish to continue?

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

Thank you. We do believe in making sure this institution works effectively. We don't have a majority in this chamber. The Senate has made decisions. I know that you, on some of those occasions, were on the other side, just as we were on the other side when you voted with the previous government. I would simply make the point—

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

Is something wrong, Anne?

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

She's being gagged.

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

Order across the chamber!

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

She's not allowed to talk.

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

That's right. All of you should be listening in respectful silence during question time. That's exactly right, Senator Cash. Minister, did you finish your answer?

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

Senator, obviously I disagree with the way in which you formulated the question. We don't have the numbers in this chamber, and we work with— (Time expired)