Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham. The Liberal member for Goldstein, Mr Tim Wilson, has called for One Nation to be preferenced 'dead last'. Does Mr Morrison agree?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Wong for her question. The Prime Minister has made very clear that the Liberal Party will be preferencing the Labor Party ahead of One Nation. The Prime Minister has been clear and absolute in his condemnation of Senator Hanson and the statements that she and her colleagues allegedly made under recording, and the government will be resolute in our position that we will put the parties of government before any parties of the extreme. And I note that those opposite, whilst joining us in that regard in relation to putting the parties of extreme positions from one perspective below the parties of government, do not share that position in relation to the other perspective.

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

Senator Wong, a supplementary question.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The retiring Liberal member for Higgins, Minister O'Dwyer, has declared, 'I can't see any reason why One Nation wouldn't be preferenced last.' Why won't Mr Morrison take his senior minister's advice?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can see one reason that One Nation wouldn't be preferenced last, and he sits over there: it's Senator Anning.

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

Senator Wong, a final supplementary question.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given that Senator Birmingham himself has publicly declared that it was his expectation that One Nation would be put last, why has Mr Morrison failed to meet Senator Birmingham's expectations?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I answered in the preceding two questions, the Prime Minister has been clear that One Nation will be preferenced below the alternative party of government, the Labor Party. But the Prime Minister's equally been clear that we will see who else nominates when nominations close, because there are indeed individuals—and one of them occupies a seat in this chamber—whom we will put last, whom we will put below One Nation, and that is exactly as it should be.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! Senators! That was, quite frankly, despicable, where virtually everyone in the chamber was screaming to the point that I couldn't hear a word being said.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Well, if it was fewer than that, then they had very strong voices. If you're going to ask questions, listen to the answer, and there's an opportunity to have a debate afterwards.