House debates Questions without Notice
Climate Change
Mark Butler Port Adelaide, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water
2:38 pm
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. The islands of Saibai, Poruma and Warraber in the Torres Strait are at risk because of sea level rise caused by climate change. What does the minister say to the residents of the Torres Strait, near our border with Papua New Guinea, who are facing the same risks as our Pacific neighbours who are seeking action so that migration does not become their only option?
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
Mr Speaker, a point of order: the issue of climate change is not within the responsibilities of the Minister for Immigration. That question is more properly directed to the Minister for the Environment or even to the Prime Minister. The minister could answer questions about visa issues and other things, but not issues about climate change. Therefore I would suggest that the member direct his question to the correct minister rather than the incorrect one.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
On the point of order, the question goes directly to issues of border protection and also goes directly to one of the most significant migration issues within the Pacific.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
I acknowledge that the Minister for Immigration is laughing at this moment, but we are talking about one of the most significant migration issues in the Pacific, and we need to be allowed to ask on that. There was no opportunity to rephrase. That is two occasions on which you have ruled out, without an opportunity to rephrase, questions that are clearly relevant to the portfolio.
Mr Morrison interjecting—
Mr Pyne interjecting—
Ms Plibersek interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
The Minister for Social Services and the Leader of the House will cease interjecting, as will the member for Sydney. Member for Watson: I listened very carefully to the question. I hesitated to call the Leader of the House; I was about to make a ruling. But the point you made about the opportunity to rephrase is a fair point, and I will give the member the opportunity to rephrase. It is a fair point.
Mark Butler Port Adelaide, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water
Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is still to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. The islands of Saibai, Poruma and Warraber in the Torres Strait are at risk because of sea level rises caused by climate change. What does the minister say to the residents of the Torres Strait, near our border with Papua New Guinea, who are facing the same risks as our Pacific neighbours who are seeking action so that migration does not become their only option, including migration to Australia, in the face of the threat of climate change?
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
Mr Speaker, a point of order: you very generously allowed them to try to rephrase the question. They asked exactly the same question that they asked before. It is still not within the realm of responsibility of the Minister for Immigration.
Tony Smith Speaker
The question was not identical. The minister can refer to the very last part of the question and does not need to respond to the first part of the question.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
2:42 pm
Thanks so much, Mr Speaker, and I thank the honourable member for his question. My good friend the Minister for the Environment has a lot of information in relation to issues surrounding climate change, and the government obviously provides significant support to neighbouring countries, to people within the—
Mr Champion interjecting—
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
region and the minister no doubt at an opportune time can outline that information. In terms of what we provide by way of assistance through this portfolio, obviously we work very closely with our near neighbours on a number of issues in relation to the immigration portfolio—in particular, transnational crime and issues of that nature—across the region. So, we have very good partners and very good relationships and we intend to continue to build on those.
I do note that there was some commentary by the Leader of the Opposition in relation to some comments I made last week. I thought, well, if he is willing to provide a character assessment on this topic, I should reply with a character assessment—
Tony Smith Speaker
I remind the minister to remain relevant to the question.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
If you are under fire from Bill Shorten, my recommendation is to seek solace in The Latham Diaries.
Tony Smith Speaker
The minister will not use props.
Ms Plibersek interjecting—
The member for Sydney will cease interjecting. I have allowed the second part of the question. The minister can quote but not use props.
Ms Claydon interjecting—
It is highly disorderly to interject when I am seeking to make a ruling. The member for Newcastle is warned. The minister can quote from a document. He cannot use a prop but he must remain directly relevant to the substance of the question.
Mr Champion interjecting—
The member for Wakefield will leave under 94(a).
The member for Wakefield then left the chamber.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
I made a comment last week—
Ms Kate Ellis interjecting—
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
and I apologised in relation to that comment, for those who were genuinely offended. But then we come to the Leader of the Opposition—
Ms Plibersek interjecting—
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
who sought to make some sort of political opportunity out of this issue. The issue for this Leader of the Opposition is in relation to character, and he has some questions to answer.
Tony Smith Speaker
The minister must remain relevant to the question. The minister must remain relevant to the policy substance of the question.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I will. The question was in relation to comments in relation to character assessments that were offered, including from this Leader of the Opposition.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Mr Speaker, I have a point of order.
Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
I am happy, at any time, to give him a free assessment because plenty of others have.