House debates Questions without Notice
Bereavement Allowance
Jenny Macklin Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Disability and Carers (House)
2:52 pm
My question is to the Minister for Social Services. How many people will be worse off under this conservative government's plan to axe the bereavement allowance to grieving widows and other vulnerable Australians?
Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer
It's not funny.
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services
No, no, it is funny, because yesterday we had a similar line of questioning. Halfway through question time, the member ran out, and I thought: 'Oh, that's interesting. She must be going to put out a press release.' So when I got out of question time I said to my office, 'Has the shadow minister put out a press release?' They had a quick look and they couldn't find anything. I said, 'I'm sure that'd be the tactic she'd use,' so I said, 'Have a look again.' They said: 'Yes, there is something there. It's been done with the shadow Treasurer.' I said, 'That's interesting. So what does it say?' It referred to 'the L-plate minister'.
Opposition members interjecting—
I'll get to your answer.
Tony Smith Speaker
The minister will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business has the call.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)
Unsurprisingly, the point of order is on direct relevance. There was no preamble to this question. It is a very specific question about how many people will be affected by the government's plans for the bereavement allowance. At this moment he has not been relevant to that in any way.
Ms Macklin interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
I would ask the member for Jagajaga not to interject; I'm listening to the Manager of Opposition Business. I thank him for his point of order. Having looked at the clock, I have to say to the minister: whilst I allow preambles, we are more than a third of the way through the question. The preamble needs to come to a conclusion, and he needs to bring himself to the question that was asked.
Mr Bowen interjecting—
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services
No, I wasn't referring to the widows; I was referring to the shadow minister, and if you will stop interjecting, I'll get to the point.
Opposition members interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
Members on my left will cease interjecting. I've asked the minister to bring himself to the question.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Phone a friend.
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services
I'm not phoning a friend, as the opposition leader has said.
An opposition member: Keep going, mate.
Keep interjecting! Keep it coming!
Tony Smith Speaker
The Leader of the Opposition and members on my left will cease interjecting.
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services
The shadow minister has the issue, when she refers to an L-plate minister. What I would say to the shadow minister is, 'Dear, I don't want you in the car with me while I'm learning to drive!'