Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Communications. Noting the minister's determination to hold Optus to account, why did the minister express confusion about the opposition's amendment to double the maximum penalty for getting things so badly wrong on behalf of Australians dialling triple 0? Will the minister review her decision and act to double this penalty as the opposition has suggested?

Anika Wells (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the shadow minister for communications for her question. I'm sure, as the shadow minister for communications, she would recall that, a few sitting weeks ago, we introduced enhancing consumer safeguards legislation to this place, where we enhanced penalties for telcos doing the wrong thing by 40 times. So penalties are now up to $10 million and more in particular situations. So I believe—and, I believe, with her support—this House is already considering penalties. I offer, in good faith, that, if that is a live issue for you, given this bill is before the House, we can continue to work on penalties where it is already tabled in the House. I'm done.

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

I think the minister has concluded, but I will 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

The bill is not before the House. The bill has passed the House. The bill has already passed. We asked if she would review her decision. The Prime Minister has just offered to quadruple the penalties. He just asked us across the table—

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

That is not a point of order.

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

so we're confused about government policy.

Well, you asked—

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

Resume your seat. The minister has concluded her answer. The manager made a point of order or a statement to the House. We're going to get the House to settle and come to order, and we will hear from the honourable member for Aston.