House debates Questions without Notice
Minister for Human Services
Brendan O'Connor Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
2:31 pm
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?
Michael Keenan Stirling, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Digital Transformation
2:32 pm
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.
Tony Smith Speaker
The minister's concluded his answer. The Manager of Opposition Business on an inventive point of order?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)
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.
Tony Smith Speaker
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.