House debates Questions without Notice
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts
2:53 pm
My question is to the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction. Can the minister confirm that so far he's told the House he was representing an unknown number of unnamed farmers inside and outside his electorate, someone who wrote a letter to someone else three years before the meeting, someone else who wrote a letter to another someone else six months after the meeting, and the mysterious bloke from Yass? Why won't the minister admit to the House what he told local radio: that he's actually been representing himself the entire time?
Angus Taylor Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
2:54 pm
Thank you, Mr Speaker—
Tony Smith Speaker
The minister for energy will resume his seat for a second. So will the Manager of Opposition Business. I'm not sure the question asked the minister to refer to his previous answers. I'd just like you to read the opening sentence again.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts
The opening sentence is: 'Can the minister confirm that so far he has told the House he was representing—'
Christian Porter Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
I think the difficulty with that is that it then completely misrepresents previous answers that have been given by the minister.
Tony Smith Speaker
I say to the Leader of the House that whilst I appreciate the point he's been making, Speaker Andrews and other Speakers have made the point that when these claims are made it's a balancing act between whether you let them stand or let the minister actually deal with them in the way that they want to, so that's the approach I'm going to take. I just wanted to check that it did refer to previous answers, and I'm satisfied with that.
Angus Taylor Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
I was representing farmers in my electorate. At a time of drought, like this, those opposite should show some respect for those representing farmers in their electorate. What I find most interesting is—
Opposition members interjecting —
Tony Smith Speaker
The minister will just pause for a second. I am just going to say to those interjecting loudly to my left: if you don't lower the volume, I'll do it through ejections. I'm putting you all on notice.
Angus Taylor Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
What I find most interesting is those opposite come into this place, lecturing us about good governance whilst the stench of corruption emanates from Sussex Street. What complete hypocrisy!