House debates

Thursday, 1 March 2018

Questions without Notice

Minister for Human Services

2:31 pm

Photo of Brendan O'ConnorBrendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Human Services, and I refer to the minister's previous answers. Did the minister or his office at the time inform anyone other than the office of the Prime Minister about the raid before the execution of search warrants, including but not limited to the office of Minister Cash?

2:32 pm

Photo of Michael KeenanMichael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Digital Transformation) Share this | | Hansard source

Well, Mr Speaker, I'm not going to be cross-examined by him—and neither will I be cross-examined by him. In fact, I won't be cross-examined by any of them, because they're not worthy. They sit here representing a party in this place infected by the corruption of the union movement, and this is just a continuation of that protection racket. I've answered the substance of the question. I won't be repeating it. End of story.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The minister's concluded his answer. The Manager of Opposition Business on an inventive point of order?

Photo of Mr Tony BurkeMr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)) Share this | | Hansard source

If the opposition can't ask questions for view of it being cross-examination, should we continue with question time ever? Surely that's the point of it.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

I'm going to continue with question time. The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. If the Manager of Opposition Business doesn't wish to ask questions, that's his business. We're going to the next question.