Senate debates Questions without Notice: Additional Answers
Carbon Pricing
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation
3:02 pm
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
You tried to score a political point.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation
There are courtesies in relation to private discussions that I would have hoped could be observed.
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer
You obviously did not do your due diligence.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation
Are you going to keep going with this?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer
Maybe next time—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation
He's just—
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate
He's just being playful!
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation
Playful? Churlish, I think, might be the better word.
Nigel Scullion NT, Country Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
That's flirting, Penny—come on!
Stephen Parry Tasmania, Liberal Party
Minister, you can ignore the interjections.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation
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
You'll have to go to Mark Arbib's training classes now!
Mark Arbib NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness
Now you've really ruined it! It was a nice moment till then.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation
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.