Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Fifield. On Thursday, Minister Dutton told 2GB radio:

… I'm not bagging my colleagues or my Prime Minister publicly … if I have something to say to them, I say it to them in private … if my position changes—that is, it gets to a point where I can't accept what the Government's proposing or I don't agree—then … you resign your commission, you don't serve in that Cabinet …

What assurance has the minister given the Prime Minister that he continues to support the Prime Minister and what the government is proposing?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Dutton has been absolutely clear and absolutely explicit that he supports the policies of the government and that he supports the Prime Minister, as does everyone sitting along this front bench here today—crystal clear.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Sterle, a supplementary question.

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Despite reports on Friday and Saturday that he was considering challenging Prime Minister Turnbull, Minister Dutton waited until Saturday before he finally commented via Twitter. Why did Minister Dutton allow speculation to fester for 36 hours before he commented?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Dutton has been clear and consistent in his support for the policies of the government.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Sterle, a final supplementary question.

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In his tweet, Minister Dutton said, 'My position hasn't changed from my comments last Thursday.' Can the minister confirm that resigning from cabinet remains a live option for Minister Dutton?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Dutton, in the interview to which Senator Sterle referred, was giving a very clear and thorough exposition of the way that the Westminster system works. It was a useful civics lesson for those who tuned in. Minister Dutton, as Senator Sterle indicated, did confirm that over the weekend.