Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Disability and Carers (House)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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?

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can I thank the member for her question. It's funny because yesterday—

Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's not funny.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Phone a friend.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition and members on my left will cease interjecting.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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!'

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We will go to the next question.