Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
2:42 pm
My question is to the Minister for Employment, Senator Cash. The Australian Public Service Code of Conduct states that 'employees should avoid partisan comment'. On Friday, the Registered Organisations Commissioner, Mark Bielecki, and the commission's executive director, Chris Enright, admitted to making partisan comments during a break in the Education and Employment spillover estimates hearing. What action has the minister taken to enforce the Australian Public Service Code of Conduct?
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women
2:43 pm
I thank Senator Cameron for the question. Senator Cameron, I completely reject the premise of your question. You should have read out the comment that you believe was partisan and was made, because as I recall, Mr Bielecki stated that he said nothing—
Senator Wong interjecting—
But I have to say, Senator Cameron's hatred of the Registered Organisations Commission is absolutely well known. What those on the other side fail to understand is: why do we need a Registered Organisations Commission? It is because we need to protect honest union members from the theft and deception—
Honourable senators interjecting—
Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State
Order! The Leader of the Government has precedence. I will come to you next, Senator Cameron.
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
Mr President, Senator Cash was inaudible to me sitting right here, because of the bellowing across the chamber from Senator Wong.
Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State
I was calling the chamber to order during the answer. Senator Cameron.
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
A point of order on relevance. The question was: 'What actions has the minister taken to enforce the Australian Public Service Code of Conduct?'
Honourable senators interjecting —
Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State
Order! Order right around the chamber. Senators Wong and Macdonald—
Senator Wong interjecting—
I'm not going to rule on the point of order until interjections cease across the chamber.
Honourable senators interjecting —
Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State
Senator Sterle, that is not helpful. We're running down the clock for question time, which is traditionally a time for the opposition. Senator Cameron, on the point of order on relevance, the minister is allowed to address material you used at the beginning of the question in framing the question. In my opinion, the minister is relevant to the material you had before that part of the question which you restated.
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women
As I was saying, Senator Cameron's dislike of the Registered Organisations Commission is well known. This was addressed at Senate estimates on Friday. I reject the premise of Senator Cameron's question.
Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State
Senator Cameron, a supplementary question?
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
2:45 pm
I refer to reports that a Fair Work Ombudsman official was involved in the discussion. Does the minister accept the Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James's denial that she was involved?
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women
Senator Cameron, you'll recall that the Fair Work Ombudsman was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer. I can only take that the Fair Work Ombudsman answered the question as she saw fit.
Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State
Senator Cameron, a final supplementary question?
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
2:46 pm
Given that two members of the Registered Organisations Commission were overheard making partisan comments, and the minister refused to outline actions taken—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Senators:
Honourable senators interjecting—
Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State
Order! Please stop the clock. I couldn't hear part of that question.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
All I did was shoosh.
Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State
I was going to point out that there was noise across the chamber from both sides. Senator Cameron, please continue.
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
Why should anyone have confidence in the independence of the Registered Organisations Commission?
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women
I thank Senator Cameron for the supplementary questions. Senator Cameron would be aware that this was canvassed in detail, I think by himself, with both the Registered Organisations Commission and the Fair Work Ombudsman at Senate estimates on Friday and the answers I refer to.