Senate debates Questions without Notice
Deputy Leader of the Nationals
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
2:42 pm
My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Senator Nash. I refer to the minister's statement to the Senate on 17 August, last sitting week, in which she advised the Senate:
… the PM has indicated to me that he sees no reason for me to stand aside from my portfolio responsibilities.
Can the minister confirm it was the Prime Minister's decision that she should remain a cabinet minister while the question of her eligibility was resolved by the High Court?
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
2:43 pm
I've been very clear that the Prime Minister has asked me to stay on in my capacity as minister.
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
Thank you, Minister, and we have got that on record. Did the minister then offer to the Prime Minister, after this offer was made to her, to stand aside from her portfolio responsibilities?
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
2:44 pm
I've been very clear in my previous answer. The Prime Minister asked me to stay on. There were no further conversations from that around that issue.
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
I didn't try a point of order, Mr President, but I should have. The Deputy Prime Minister has also refused to stand aside from his portfolio responsibilities while the High Court resolves questions about his eligibility under section 44. Did the minister discuss her position with the Deputy Prime Minister before making a decision as to whether she would step aside from her portfolio responsibilities? Again, I ask: did the minister offer to stand aside when the Prime Minister made that statement?
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
I can indicate to the chamber that the Prime Minister and the government have received very strong legal advice on these matters.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
It is on direct relevance. The minister hasn't been asked about the legal advice. She hasn't been asked about the referral. She's been asked about whether or not—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
I beg your pardon!
Stephen Parry President
Order on my right! Senator Macdonald!
Opposition senators interjecting—
Order on my left, as well! Point of order, Senator Macdonald?
Ian Macdonald Queensland, Liberal Party
Mr President, you continue to allow senators to make statements and arguments in supposedly raising a point of order. Now, this senator is clearly out of order in raising an argument when she should be raising a point of order, and I ask you to bring her to account.
Stephen Parry President
There is no point of order. I call Senator Wong.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
The question relates only to a single issue, and that is whether or not the minister discussed her position with the Deputy Prime Minister before making a decision as to whether she would step aside. I ask her to be directly relevant.
Stephen Parry President
Senator Wong, I will ask the minister, and remind her of the question. But I just would make the observation that this is, I think, the third or fourth occasion now that the minister has been interrupted only a matter of seconds into her answer, and I think that has been a little bit unfair to the minister. But I will remind the minister of the question.
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
I have a range of discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister on a number of matters. In relation, directly, to the question, the government has very strong legal advice on this matter. The Prime Minister has asked both the Deputy Prime Minister and me to remain in our ministerial roles, and we will continue to do that.