Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Minchin, representing the Prime Minister. I refer the minister to his press release of 16 March, in which he praised Senator Santoro’s contribution as minister and in which he said, ‘I look forward to his continued contribution to the coalition’s Senate team as Liberal senator for Queensland.’ Minister, do you still believe that deliberately failing to declare his share ownership some 72 times entitles Senator Santoro to continue to represent the coalition Senate team? Didn’t the Prime Minister and Minister Robb today describe Senator Santoro’s actions as unbelievable and indefensible? Do you think that Senator Santoro’s failure to adhere to the Senate rules is acceptable behaviour for Liberal Party senators?