John Hogg (Queensland, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My advice is that the proposed ministerial statement has not been made in the other place.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—Mr Deputy President, the copy I have from the parliamentary liaison officer, which I do concede says it is under embargo until the statement is made in the House of Representatives, is actually dated 20 March.

John Hogg (Queensland, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It may well be, Senator Macdonald, but I understand it has not been made. Let me see if the parliamentary secretary on duty can enlighten us.

Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Prime Minister for Social Inclusion) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I understand that the statement has not yet been made in the House of Representatives and therefore it will be tabled here at the first available opportunity after that.

John Hogg (Queensland, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is your answer, Senator Macdonald.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Deputy President. I take the parliamentary secretary’s advice in all good faith. However, it would seem to me that by this time it may well have been made.

John Hogg (Queensland, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The advice is that it has not been made, Senator Macdonald.