Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Minister Cormann. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott gets two taxpayer-funded staff members, a driver, an office, a private vehicle, free travel, and a pension worth over $300,000 a year. Mr Abbott has accepted a role advancing the interests of a foreign nation. There is a strong probability that Mr Abbott will be employed to assist the UK to negotiate trade deals that may not necessarily benefit Australia's sovereign interest. Is the Prime Minister really going to allow Australian taxpayers to pay Mr Abbott, pay for his office, pay for his travel, pay for his staff, and pay for his car while he's working against the interests of the same Australian taxpayers that are covering his bills?

Opposition Senator:

An opposition senator interjecting—

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Lambie for that question. I'm somewhat disappointed that a Labor senator has just felt it appropriate to say that that was a good question, because in Australia we have a great tradition, in a non-partisan fashion, of treating our former Prime Ministers with respect, from both sides of politics—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order!

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and the work expenses available to former prime ministers, be they Labor or Liberal, are precisely the same, and organised in an entirely non-partisan fashion.

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order on my left! I'm having trouble hearing. Senator Cormann, please resume your seat. This is no reflection on Senator Cormann; I can't hear what he's saying.

An honourable senator interjecting—

Really? When I say I can't hear a minister answering the question, the retort to the chair is: 'He should answer the question.' I'm asking to be able to hear the minister answer the question. He does not have a quiet voice, and I can't hear it. Senator Cormann.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Despite my voice, I don't think any of my colleagues are falling asleep as I'm answering this question today. We treat our former Prime Ministers with courtesy and respect. The work expense arrangements for all of them are the same. I believe that all of them pursue alternative opportunities to contribute, internationally and domestically. I don't believe the information Senator Lambie has, that Mr Abbott is paid for work that he is conducting to facilitate international trade. I don't believe he's paid for that role. I don't think it is appropriate to make the sorts of reflections that were just supported by a Labor senator in this chamber—disappointingly—in relation to any of our former prime ministers.

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

Senator Lambie, a supplementary question?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Whether he was paid or not, I was kicked out of the Senate in 2017 under section 44 of the Constitution, for dual citizenship. The thinking has always been that dual citizens have dual allegiance, to Australia and to another country. If another country was paying me to promote their interests, potentially over the interests of Australia, would that be considered a dual allegiance? And, if so, would I, like Mr Abbott, still be entitled to an annual salary from the taxpayer?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Firstly, Mr Abbott is no longer a member of the Australian parliament, so the constitutional arrangements around eligibility for federal members of parliament do not apply to Mr Abbott. Mr Abbott, like any former member of parliament or any former Prime Minister under the old parliamentary pension arrangements, obviously qualifies for the arrangements that have been in place for all on the same basis. I think it's entirely inappropriate to make the suggestions that are being made here. I think it is deeply personal and inappropriate, and—

Senator Wong interjecting—

No, Senator Wong, quite frankly, everyone after they leave is entitled to pursue other career opportunities and the retirement income arrangements under—

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

Senator Lambie, on a point of order.

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My point of order is that what I'm asking is: does the minister not think that that gives Mr Abbott a dual allegiance? We are paying him, yet he may be going into trade, and against the taxpayer—

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

Senator Lambie, I've allowed you to restate part of the question, but that was not a point of order. I think the minister is being directly relevant to the question as asked. There's a chance to debate it later. Senator Cormann.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I answered the question directly. The analogy that Senator Lambie sought to make with her circumstance when she found herself in breach of constitutional eligibility requirements is not valid, because Mr Abbott is no longer a member of the Australian parliament.

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

Senator Lambie, a final supplementary question?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What would the Prime Minister like to say to the thousands of veterans whose compensation claims have been denied in the courts every year, each amounting to far less than the $700,000 a year we're paying the former Prime Minister to work against Australia's national interest?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm disappointed that Senator Lambie chooses to pick on one former Prime Minister. The arrangements are the same for all our current former prime ministers, except the most recent ones, and anyone who has—

Senator Wong interjecting—

Senator Wong, if you are suggesting that we should change retirement income arrangements retrospectively, then please say so and move a piece of legislation along those lines.