Senate debates Questions without Notice
South Australia State Election
Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
2:59 pm
My question is to the Minister for Defence. The minister has now had more than a week to find out how a South Australian Liberal party banner was used as a backdrop for a press conference on RAAF Base Edinburgh in Adelaide by the Prime Minister and the South Australian Liberal leader on 13 March—two days before the South Australian election. Minister, who authorised the use of this banner?
David Johnston WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence
Mr President, I am astounded; in the face of so many defence issues of importance. We have 60 young Australians 2½ thousand kilometres from Perth, looking for an aircraft at the moment. We have a whole host of things happening in Defence. We have had—
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
Mr President, I rise on a point of order. Again, it is on direct relevance—this is a specific question about the authorisation of a banner—and it is also about the astounding way in which the minister has tried to dismiss this question by putting other issues on the agenda. It is quite distressing.
Honourable senators interjecting—
John Hogg President
Order! The minister has one minute and thirty-three seconds remaining to answer the question, and I do draw the minister's attention to the question.
David Johnston WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence
Mr President, I have no idea who authorised the use of any banner, anywhere, because I have many, many more important things to be concerned with, may I say.
Opposition senators interjecting—
Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
3:02 pm
Mr President, I have a supplementary question: can the minister inform the Senate what role the Prime Minister's office played in putting up this Liberal party banner on RAAF Base Edinburgh? Does the minister accept the reasoning put out by the Prime Minister's office that it was okay for the Prime Minister to stand in front of the Liberal Party banner because, 'no military personnel took part nor were invited'. Minister, you have had a week to get to the bottom of this. You have a question. You have got a letter from me. When will you give us an answer?
David Johnston WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence
Whilst I of course accept everything the Prime Minister would say about such a matter, I was in the United Kingdom when it occurred. I cannot assist the senator further.
Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
3:03 pm
Mr President, I have a further supplementary question. Can the minister inform us if this is now the standard that he intends to enforce when it comes to using party political banners on Australian Defence Force bases? Or has the minister issued instructions to ensure that this never happens again? Minister, have you issued an instruction?
David Johnston WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence
If this is the standard of questioning I am to expect from the opposition, I am very thankful that they are sitting over there and not having anything to do with the management of the Defence portfolio.
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
Mr President, I rise on a point of order. I was on my feet before the minister had sat down.
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
The point of order is about direct relevance: there was a question about a direction being issued.
Honourable senators interjecting—
John Hogg President
Order! Senator Moore has taken a point of order. I have an indication from the minister that the minister's answer has been completed.
Eric Abetz Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment
Mr President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.