Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Senator Nash. Can the minister confirm that Newlands Civil Construction has been contracted to undertake $1 million worth of works as the part of the Warrego Highway upgrade, a $635 million project partly funded by the Commonwealth government?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's a very specific question, and I will take it on notice for the senator.

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

Senator Watt, a supplementary question.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What is the total value of works Newlands Civil Construction, a company in which Senator O'Sullivan has an interest, has been contracted to deliver under the Warrego Highway upgrade program?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, that is a very specific question, but my understanding is that these are matters for the state government and should be directed to the state government.

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

Senator Watt, a final supplementary question.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know the minister chooses to overlook that the funding comes from the Commonwealth, but given this $1 million contract is the third example of a Commonwealth funded contract to a company in which Senator O'Sullivan had an interest, exactly how many contracts funded by Commonwealth taxpayers' money has Senator O'Sullivan stood to benefit from?

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

In relation to the latter part of that question, Senator Watt, you are going to a scope beyond Senator Nash's or the minister's knowledge, but the minister can respond, if she wishes to, to the first aspect about the third example.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm happy to restrict my question to the minister's portfolio—transport or infrastructure projects.

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

In relation to transport, thank you.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would have thought that the senator would understand that the contractual arrangements are done by the state government, and questions relating to that should be directed to the state government.

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

A point of order, Senator Williams?

John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young just said to Senator O'Sullivan, 'You're as dodgy as.' I ask you to ask her to withdraw that, please.

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

Thank you, Senator Williams. It is very borderline. I think all senators in this place have thick skins. But, Senator Hanson-Young, if you feel as though you have said something unparliamentary, would you withdraw it.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Thank you. I've allowed Senator Hanson-Young to withdraw it if she feels as though she said something unparliamentary, which I didn't hear.