Senate debates Questions without Notice
Newlands Civil Construction: Senator O'Sullivan
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC
2:00 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Senator Nash.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Senator:
An honourable senator interjecting—
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC
Yes, seriously. Yesterday, the minister dismissed the Commonwealth's involvement in the projects in Queensland contracted to Newlands Civil Construction. I refer to the National Partnership Agreement on Land Transport Infrastructure Projects, an agreement between the Commonwealth and the states. Can the minister confirm that the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project, under which Newlands Civil Construction has been contracted to deliver at least $2.5 million in works, is included in the agreement and is 80 per cent funded by the Commonwealth?
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
In terms of the detail, the confirmation of that I will take on notice. But, as I stated yesterday—which was quite correct—the contracting and tendering of projects is entirely a matter for the Queensland state government.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC
2:01 pm
Can the minister confirm that the Warrego Highway upgrade, under which Newlands Civil Construction has been contracted to deliver at least $1 million in works, is included in the agreement and is 80 per cent funded by the Commonwealth?
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
Again, the specific detail I will take on notice for the senator.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC
I seek leave to table a copy of the national partnership agreement and the schedule setting out the projects funded in Queensland.
Stephen Parry President
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
If we can be shown it informally, you can seek leave afterwards.
Stephen Parry President
Senator O'Farrell, are you comfortable with the arrangement that you can seek leave at a later juncture; maybe at the end of the question time? Senator Farrell, a final supplementary question.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC
2:02 pm
On the assumption that I do get leave, I have a further question for the minister. Can the minister rule out Senator O'Sullivan receiving any financial benefit as a result of involvement in family companies gaining $6 million in Commonwealth contracts?
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
I understand that Senator O'Sullivan has expressed publicly that he doesn't have nor ever has had an interest in a corporation or entity that has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in an agreement with the Public Service of the Commonwealth of Australia. I would say that, if the opposition has in its possession—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Mr President, the question went to—
Senator Cormann interjecting—
Well, the answer is actually not directly relevant. The question—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
I apologise. I was being distracted by Senator Cormann.
Government senators interjecting—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
My point of order goes to direct relevance. This is the minister representing the relevant minister for the Commonwealth ruling out that Senator O'Sullivan has received financial benefit as a result of involvement in family companies gaining $6 million in Commonwealth contracts. It is not relevant to say that Senator O'Sullivan has said that. The question is to the minister representing the minister who has carriage of this substantial amount of money.
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance
On the point of order, by mere virtue of the fact that Senator Nash was able to point out that there was no such interest, according to Senator O'Sullivan, clearly mere logic dictates that, if there is no benefit overall then there is no benefit in the specific. So the minister was clearly being directly relevant to the question.
Stephen Parry President
In relation to the point of order, Senator Wong, I believe the minister was being directly relevant. Minister, you were interrupted. Had you concluded your answer or do you have more to offer?
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
I've concluded my answer.