House debates

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

Questions without Notice

Ministerial Staff

2:39 pm

Photo of Jenny MacklinJenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Disability and Carers (House)) | | Hansard source

My question's to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister explain the definition of 'partner' for the purposes of clause 2.23 of the Prime Minister's own Statement of Ministerial Standards?

Photo of Malcolm TurnbullMalcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) | | Hansard source

'Partner' is not defined in the relevant ministerial standards, but the standard definition—for example, the Department of Human Services says:

… a person is considered to be your partner if you and the person are living together, or usually live together, and are:

        Centrelink 'considers a person to be in a de facto relationship from the time they commence living with another person as a member of a couple'. There are some definitions for you.