Senate debates Questions without Notice
Australian Bushfires: National Aerial Firefighting Centre
Murray Watt Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia
3:19 pm
My question is to be Minister for Defence, Senator Reynolds. Last week Senator Reynolds told the Senate that, according to experts, the government had done all it could to provide the aerial firefighting capability required to protect Australians. Does the minister stand by that claim?
Murray Watt Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia
In December 2017 the National Aerial Firefighting Centre provided a business case to the federal government requesting a permanent increase in funding of $11 million to its annual budget. On 4 January this year the New South Wales Rural Fire Service commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, said:
We haven't seen a positive response to that business case.
Is failing to provide a positive response to the business case for two years an example of the government doing 'all it could'?
Linda Reynolds WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence
3:20 pm
I absolutely stand by my comments in the Senate last week. We have worked incredibly closely with NAFC and with the states and territories. We have provided significant support to NAFC. In fact, the states recently asked for one additional large aerial tanker and we provided four. We have taken the advice of the experts and we have provided all possible assistance.
Murray Watt Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia
More than 3,000 Australian families have lost their homes during the bushfire crisis. Can the minister explain to these families why the government failed to heed the advice of fire commissioners and NAFC to provide a permanent boost to Australia's aerial firefighting capability?
Linda Reynolds WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence
Senator Watt, that question is beneath you. It is utterly disgraceful that you are linking the lives of people to the support that this federal government, Defence and EMA have provided.
Scott Ryan President
Order, Senator Reynolds! Senator Wong, on a point of order?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Point of order on direct relevance: what this minister should be ashamed of is telling the Senate one thing which is clearly not true. NAFC's advice was not received. Why don't you answer the question, instead of this feigned outrage?
Scott Ryan President
Senator Wong, that's not a point of order. Senator Cormann, on the point of order?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council
Senator Wong should withdraw that imputation on the senator.
Scott Ryan President
I didn't hear one. There were interjections going on. I will check the Hansard. I did not hear any comment. I will take Senator Wong.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
No, if you're not asking for—
Scott Ryan President
I didn't hear what could be withdrawn. I will check the Hansard. On the issue of the point of order—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
You didn't take the advice and now you're embarrassed!
Scott Ryan President
On the issue of the point of order—Senator Cormann?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council
Interjections are disorderly, and Senator Wong is interjecting while you are addressing the chamber. That is highly disorderly.
Scott Ryan President
I have made the observation before that it is regularly put to me that question time is primarily a forum for the opposition. We are wasting that time, if there continue to be interjections. There is time for debating answers, and the content and the merits of them, after question time. It is not by interjection during question time. Senator Reynolds, in my view, is being directly relevant to the question. Senator Reynolds, to continue.
Linda Reynolds WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence
I will reiterate my complete rejection of every single word Senator Watt said then. It is a complete and utter disgrace that he is linking the work that Australian officials, EMA and this government have done, working very closely—
Opposition senators interjecting—
Linda Reynolds WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence
and providing the support that the experts have recommended—
Opposition senators interjecting—
Scott Ryan President
Senator Reynolds, please resume your seat. Can people at least count to 10 after I call for silence, so we get a little bit of it. The minister had barely commenced speaking before the interjections started again. It's a poor reflection on the Senate. Senator Reynolds, to continue.
Linda Reynolds WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence
Senator Watt, these are the facts you so conveniently ignore. In 2019-20 the government funded NAFC to the tune of $45 million. We provided nearly $15 million under a longstanding funding agreement—
Murray Watt Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia
You got a business case in 2017 and you did nothing!
Linda Reynolds WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence
and $20 million, again, for additional firefighting aircraft. Again, I say to you, Senator Watt: shame on you. Shame on you all for politicising it. It is a disgrace.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Shame on you for not doing your job!
Scott Ryan President
Order! I don't think it is—
Opposition senators interjecting—
Order! The clock will run down until I call the next senator for a question. Senator Bragg.