Catryna Bilyk Tasmania, Australian Labor Party
2:00 pm
My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Senator Nash. I refer to Senator Canavan, who, in his statement to the Senate about his eligibility for election under section 44 of the Constitution, said:
I wish to fully respect this process, and that is why I have resigned from the ministry and I will also not vote in the Senate until this matter is resolved.
Was Senator Canavan right to do so?
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
Senator Canavan did indeed make those comments at the time. Senator Canavan's case and the issue of dual citizenship arose at a time when he didn't know the full facts. Subsequently, further facts became available. Clearly, Senator Canavan took the precautionary step of standing aside at that point in time. Further to that, more advice became available and, on very strong advice, the Prime Minister has asked both Barnaby Joyce, the Deputy Prime Minister, and I to stay on in our ministerial roles. I would point out that, yet again, we see from those on the other side another opportunity to ask a question about the issues that are important to the Australian people being missed.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
Stephen Parry President
Order! On my left! Senator Collins, you have a colleague on her feet raising a point of order. Senator Bilyk, a point of order.
Catryna Bilyk Tasmania, Australian Labor Party
Mr President, it was a pretty simple question: was Senator Canavan right to do so? A yes or no would do. Could you make it clear?
Stephen Parry President
Thank you, Senator Bilyk. There is no point of order. Senator Nash has explained why she believed Senator Canavan did what he thought was right. Senator Nash has been totally in order.
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
May I continue pointing out that those opposite again miss an opportunity to ask a question about issues that are important to the Australian people. Perhaps the tactics team opposite needs a little bit of help. A question that would be important to the Australian people is: 'Could I ask the minister what the coalition government is doing to improve energy affordability and reliability?' And my answer would be very clear—this coalition government is doing much to improve it. We are providing real solutions around Snowy Hydro 2.0, that the people of this nation see as a nation-building project. We've seen the Prime Minister and the energy minister—
Honourable senators interjecting—
Barry O'Sullivan Queensland, National Party
I'm right next to the affected minister. I am keenly interested in what she has to say. I can't hear a word.
Stephen Parry President
Thank you, Senator O'Sullivan. I invite all senators to respect both the questioner and the answerer in question time. I need to hear the questions and the answers also. Senator Nash, you have 18 seconds.
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
The Prime Minister met with energy retailers to ensure that we can save consumers money and to make sure that we have appropriate arrangements in place to ensure gas security as well.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Catryna Bilyk Tasmania, Australian Labor Party
2:03 pm
My first supplementary question is: why is the minister refusing to meet the standards set by her colleague, Senator Canavan?
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
2:04 pm
Perhaps the senator opposite wasn't listening, but I answered that in my previous answer.
Catryna Bilyk Tasmania, Australian Labor Party
My second supplementary question is: isn't it clear that the only reason the minister is refusing to follow Senator Canavan's lead is to protect the Deputy Prime Minister and the government's slender majority in the House of Representatives?
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
The answer to that is no. I have indicated the time line of events in the information that was provided. The Prime Minister has asked that the Deputy Prime Minister and I stay on in our ministerial roles, on very strong advice, and that will continue to be the case.