Patrick Dodson (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. I refer to the reports that the Attorney-General's Queensland Liberal National Party colleagues are actively discussing his replacement. Is the Attorney-General involved in discussions about his own replacement and, if he is not, is he aware that they are taking place around him?

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cormann, a point of order?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I have a point of order. With the greatest spirit of cooperation, I struggle to find how this relates to the minister's portfolio responsibilities.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, a point of order?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would have thought that the Attorney-General's job is relevant to his responsibilities.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What I need to determine is if there are any public statements made by the minister that relate to the question asked by Senator Dodson. I am not in a position to make that assessment, so I will allow the Attorney-General to answer that question, if the Attorney-General wishes to answer the question.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I might have thought that there might be more serious matters to ask about than political gossip but, in any event, Senator Dodson, I have not the faintest idea what you are talking about.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Dodson, before you ask your supplementary question, just bear in mind that it must relate to the minister's portfolio responsibilities or statements that the minister has made in public.

Patrick Dodson (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am not quite clear on whether this does relate, but it does relate to the fact that there have been discussions about the Attorney-General's replacement and whether Senator Canavan, Senator Dutton or someone else may be an appropriate replacement. Maybe the Attorney-General wishes to answer that?

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cormann, a point of order?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know that the Labor Party has run out of material very quickly, but this question is clearly out of order and should be ruled out of order.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will apply the same rulings I applied to the primary question. I will invite the Attorney-General to answer what part, if any, he wishes to answer. Could I just indicate to all senators that question time should be used for questions that conform with the standing orders.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Dodson, there is no Senator Dutton. There is a Mr Dutton, who is the member for Dickson. He is already a member of this parliament. He has not expressed to me any desire to join the Senate.

Senator Dodson, I have a great deal of respect for you—I really do. I remember our dealings before you became a party politician in relation to the Indigenous recognition referendum in particular, so I do not want to be hard on you. But, seriously, question time is for serious questions about policy issues or matters within minister's responsibilities and, although we say it sometimes as a jest, it is actually the truth that you do not have to take stupid questions that the Labor Party questions committee forces you to ask.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Dodson, do you have a final supplementary question?

Patrick Dodson (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

() (): Thanks for the advice, Attorney-General, and I apologise to Minister Dutton. I do realise he is in the other House. I note, Attorney-General, that you did make comments in relation to 'very, very mediocre' performances, so my question is in relation to that. My question is: given the Attorney-General's colleagues are already planning for his replacement, is it clear that they consider his performance very, very mediocre? (Time expired)

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, Attorney-General, I invite you to answer any part of that question you wish to answer.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Dodson, I refer you to my answer to the first supplementary question.