Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I'm sure Senator Ruston might be given the opportunity to say a few words, if she's given permission by her party, rather than interjecting on everything I say. Get your five minutes and speak to it.

On the matter, I do appreciate the opposition's interest in Closing the Gap and cross-portfolio day. It is this government's view that it is every minister's responsibility and every department's responsibility to be accountable for the work that they are doing on Closing the Gap. It should be part of every committee's hearing, which is why there are an additional three days, Senator Cash, for you to pursue Closing the Gap through Legal and Constitutional Affairs, through F&PA, through Economics, through Community Affairs, through Rural and Regional and through Education and Employment—all of those. You name it. Turn up and ask the questions over the entire allocation of estimates. This new-found interest by the Leader of the Opposition—

Honourable senators interjecting—