House debates Questions without Notice
Special Air Service Regiment
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
3:29 pm
My question is addressed to the Minister for Defence. Does the minister stand by his statement to this House on 25 February that not one special forces soldier has been financially disadvantaged by the SAS pay debacle—yes or no?
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence
What does the Leader of the Opposition think the Defence audit is for? The independent Defence audit—
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing
You made a statement. Do you stand by it?
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order on relevance. This is a very simple question.
Harry Jenkins Speaker
Order! The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. Fifteen seconds into the answer! I will listen carefully to the answer.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—
Harry Jenkins Speaker
Order! I refer honourable members to House of Representatives Practice, where it has been indicated that, no matter how the question is structured in the belief that it requires only a yes or no answer, that is not necessarily the way in which it can be responded to.
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence
The independent Defence audit is designed to ensure that all of my directives were followed and fully implemented to determine—given your political campaign in particular—whether—
Tony Smith Casey, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer
Do you stand by your statement? Yes or no?
Joel Fitzgibbon Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence
there are any outstanding issues and to recommend ways of remedying any outstanding issues and ensuring that these issues never arise in the future. Our remediation plan will address any issues experienced by members of the regiment. Again, I will get on with fixing the problem; I will leave the politics to you.
Harry Jenkins Speaker
Order! I remind the minister of the need to refer his remarks through the chair.