Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Brandis. In April, the Prime Minister extended Mr Downer's term as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom by six months. On what date will Mr Downer's term now end, and has the minister determined who will replace him?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't know, Mr President.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Collins, a supplementary question.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Order on my left! Senator Wong, your colleague is on her feet.

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My supplementary question is: will the minister rule out accepting an appointment to replace Mr Downer as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Collins, I have—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Can we hear the answer? It may be the last question of the year; can we hear the answer?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It probably won't be. Senator Collins, flattered though I am by your question, I am not Dick Whittington. I'm afraid I'm going to have to put up with you for a lot longer. However, there is one member of this chamber who may very well not be seen after the Christmas recess. We see him over there—Senator Sam Dastyari, who may well find himself located in another foreign capital.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order around the chamber! Then I will call Senator Collins for her final supplementary question.

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My supplementary question is: does the minister agree with his colleague who 12 months ago said, 'London can't come soon enough'? Or will he accept Niki Savva's advice, given today in The Australian, which was, 'Maybe he should stay'?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Collins, it must be the festive spirit breaking out across the chamber, because, first of all, we had a generous question from Senator Wong, which was essentially a dixer. Then we had an asinine question from Senator Farrell, who's usually very smart, which was very, very easy to mock. And now we have a question from you, showing for the first time ever, I think, some solicitude for me, for which I thank you.