Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Deputy Prime Minister, the coalition is deeply committed to the Australia-US relationship. Between Sunday and this morning, the DPM's office has provided two conflicting statements about the nature and formality of this week's meeting with Secretary Hegseth. Since this morning there have been three different explanations about the nature and extent of the meeting. Deputy Prime Minister, was this a meeting with Secretary Hegseth or just a photo opportunity, and was there an outcome beyond the photo?

Honourable members interjecting

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Members on my left and members on my right. The member was heard in silence. I'd like to hear from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, and he has the call.

Richard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I genuinely do appreciate the question from the member opposite. Congressman Smith, welcome to question time. You're in for a treat!

The question that we have just heard from the shadow minister is another example of how the Liberal Party, a party which actually has a proud history of governing this country, is today completely broken. The Pentagon itself has made clear that there was a meeting between me and Secretary Hegseth. The Pentagon itself today has made it clear that that meeting was coordinated in advance. But what we've heard through the course of this week is those opposite, firstly, suggesting that there wasn't going to be a meeting at all. Then there's a little bit of a debate about whether it's a meeting or whether it's happenstance. Presumably, those opposite think that the photos that have been published were magically generated by AI. Those opposite are an absolute joke.

The shadow minister, in the question that he just framed, said that the alliance between Australia and the United States is a matter of bipartisan support. It has been the case that parties of government in this country have actually, irrespective of whether they are in opposition or in government, supported the nation in its relationship with the United States.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I haven't given you call, and I'm not particularly inclined to take this point of order, because it can only be about relevance. The Deputy Prime Minister specifically answered the question about the meeting and gave context about that.

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The point of order is relevance. The question was very specific about the outcome of the meeting.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Once again, Member for Hume, the Deputy Prime Minister is answering the question and giving context about the exact topic you asked about. Anyway, there's no point of order—that's my point.

Richard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think we all understand that the question from Captain Conspiracy over here was whether or not the meeting actually—

Honourable members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! No, the House will come to order, so I can hear from the Manager of Opposition Business.

Alex Hawke (Mitchell, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We do know why the Deputy Prime Minister is angry. We understand. It's been a bad day. There have been several versions of this meeting. We don't know which one is correct. We've asked a simple question. But he has an obligation to refer to members by their correct titles, and he did not.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to hear from the Leader of the House.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You said you can't use any term at all. That term is so much nicer than what his own colleagues say about him!

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! We are going to bring the House to order. I know it's Thursday, but we are going to bring the House to order. Questions have been asked—entitled to do so. The Deputy Prime Minister is going to continue with his answer, and I don't want any more interruptions or interjections. And I want everyone referred to by their correct titles.

Richard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The relationship between Australia and the United States should be above partisan politics. Parties in this country—whether they are parties of government in this country, whether they have been in government or in opposition—have come to this place wanting whoever is in government to succeed in our relationship with the United States. That's certainly the spirit that we brought to bear when we were in opposition. But right now, those opposite are desperately hoping that the nation fails in its relationship with the United States. And that is a disgrace! The fact of the matter is that those opposite should grow up and return to the place which has been occupied by the Liberal Party in the past—to support the alliance with the United States and do so in a bipartisan way.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for O'Connor will leave the chamber under 94(a). We're not having snide remarks given out across the chamber. I've had enough of it. We're going to lift the tone for the remainder of question time for everyone watching in the gallery. And everyone around Australia is watching as well.