Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In question time yesterday Senator Cormann asked me a question in relation to carbon pricing. In the course of answers to the first and second supplementary questions I gave two quotes which I asserted were from Senator Cormann. I can say that the second of those quotes was from Senator Cormann. The first of those quotes was in fact from Senator Brandis, so I correct the record.

I would also say, if I may, Mr Deputy President, that I did give notice to Senator Cormann that I would be correcting the record after question time, and it is dis­appointing that he has chosen to accuse me of misleading the Senate now on two occasions in the time space between that private discussion and me doing this. I would have thought there are certain courtesies in this chamber which it would behove the senator perhaps to adhere to.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You tried to score a political point.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There are courtesies in relation to private discussions that I would have hoped could be observed.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You obviously did not do your due diligence.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Are you going to keep going with this?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Maybe next time—

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, the call is yours.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He's just—

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He's just being playful!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Playful? Churlish, I think, might be the better word.

Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's flirting, Penny—come on!

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, you can ignore the interjections.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to place very clearly on the public record that I have no intention of flirting with Senator Cormann, okay! I can't believe he said that. I am so astonished at that criticism. Mr Deputy President, I also wish to respond—

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for COAG) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You'll have to go to Mark Arbib's training classes now!

Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Now you've really ruined it! It was a nice moment till then.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At this point I am trying to work out whether Senator Arbib could teach me about flirting with Senator Cormann!

Mr Deputy President, I am soldiering on here, trying to respond on something. Yesterday after question time Senator Cormann also asked me a range of questions in relation to parliamentary questions put to the Treasurer. I have some brief further information, if I could place that on the record. I am advised that of the 106 Senate written questions the Treasurer has received there are some 20 outstanding, six of which are still within the time frame for answering. I am also advised that the remaining questions, which I think also include the questions to which Senator Cormann referred, will be finalised as soon as possible. I would anticipate that to be in the next sitting period. I do have some other information if Senator Cormann wishes it, but I think that clarifies the matter.