House debates Questions without Notice
Members of Parliament: Staff
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women
2:47 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Section 4.1 of the Prime Minister's Code of Conduct requires that ministers 'take all reasonable steps to ensure that they do not mislead the public or the parliament'. What steps has the Prime Minister taken to consider whether Senator Gallagher has breached the Prime Minister's Code of Conduct?
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
I refer to my previous answers on this.
Milton Dick Speaker
The Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
He gets angry. He promised to smile if he became leader, but we see it so infrequently. Senator Gallagher has more integrity than some of the people who are pursuing these issues. I stand by Senator Gallagher. She has my absolute confidence, both as finance minister and as Minister for Women, but also as a human being who cares deeply about women in particular—
Milton Dick Speaker
The Prime Minister will pause for a moment. Whomever was interjecting then can cease. I didn't hear it, but they will cease interjecting so I can hear from the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women
The point of order is on relevance. The Prime Minister incorrectly suggested that this question is the same as the previous question. It is not. Respectfully, Prime Minister, the question is about what steps you took to secure your own reassurance about the minister's misleading or not.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
One of the things that characterises the very nature of who Senator Katy Gallagher is is that she's someone who deeply cares about women. As the member for Sydney said the other day, 13 per cent of women who experience sexual assault take action and report it. I know that—
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women
Honourable members interjecting—
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister
Well, forget it then—
Opposition members interjecting—
Do you want an answer or not?
Honourable members interjecting—
Milton Dick Speaker
Order! The Prime Minister has concluded his answer. Resume your seat, we're moving to the next question—
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women
Mr Speaker, on a point—
Milton Dick Speaker
It can't be about the Prime Minister's answer, because he has concluded his answer. But I will hear from the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women
Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister was clearly flouting your ruling. That point needs to be made, with respect.
Milton Dick Speaker
With respect, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, I'll determine who is flouting my rulings.