House debates

Monday, 15 March 2021

Questions without Notice

March 4 Justice

2:39 pm

Photo of Linda BurneyLinda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Why did the Prime Minister refuse to attend the Women's March 4 Justice address by Brittany Higgins outside the parliament today?

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. I refer the member to my remarks earlier—before question time formally commenced today. I set out that I was very happy to meet with a delegation of those who are attending here in Canberra today. Indeed, I am sure they would have represented the views more broadly of those who are attending marches all around the country today. I would have been very happy to have met them in my office. That offer to meet them was provided in good faith, but I respect their right to decline that invitation, and I have set out, as best as I can in this place, the issues that I would have referred to and advised those who came. But, principally, I would have welcomed the opportunity to listen to the issues they would have liked to have raised directly.