Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to minister for emissions reduction. Has the minister or his office had any communication from the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister's office about the content of the phone call between the Prime Minister and the New South Wales police commissioner on Tuesday?

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I've said to the Prime Minister what I have said to the House, and I'll remind those opposite—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll remind those opposite that I made a statement in the House—

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

The minister will just pause for a second. Members on my left, I need to be able to hear the answer.

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I stand by the statement that I tabled in the House earlier this week, and I've got nothing to add to it. As I have said repeatedly to the House, I reject absolutely the suggestion that I or any members of my staff altered the documents in question.

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

The minister will just pause for a second. The member for Hindmarsh on a point of order.

Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Direct relevance. I asked—

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

The member for Hindmarsh will resume his seat. I know exactly what you asked; I've got a summary of it in front of me. The minister is being directly relevant to the question. The minister does not have to answer the question in the way you want. It's well established. As I've said, the standing orders require him to be directly relevant and you have taken your one point of order on relevance. The minister has the call.

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is a pathetic, outrageous accusation by those opposite. We know exactly what this is about. It's about distracting us from our strong focus on delivering a fair deal on energy for all Australians. I'm pleased to report, according to the ABS, we've had the first ever—

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

The minister is now straying beyond the question. The minister needs to be directly relevant to the question. The question did not ask about any ABS figures or anything of the like. The minister needs to be directly relevant or resume his seat.

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those opposite are all smear and no idea.