Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Farrell. Is it correct that you instructed Austrade to overturn a merits based selection process for Australia's Consul-General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner in San Francisco that had already been completed and had recommended the appointment of a highly skilled trade expert, Ms Kirstyn Thomson, to fill that role?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hume for her question. I am a little bit surprised that this question is being asked at this time, given the announcement in respect of former senator Ketter was made some months ago. We very publicly announced that the vacancy that was open in San Francisco was going to be filled by Mr Ketter. We have followed all the usual processes—

You might not like this, Senator Canavan, but we have followed all the usual processes that apply in the selection of people who represent us in these missions overseas. I'm very comfortable, I have to say, with the appointment of Mr Ketter. His—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Birmingham?

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

A point of order on direct relevance: Senator Hume's question did not raise Mr Ketter at all. Her question went specifically to the merits based process that had led to the selection, apparently, of Ms Kirstyn Thomson, a fact that had not been made public, notwithstanding the minister's insinuations, and whether or not it is correct that he had overturned that process. I ask you to draw him to the detailed part of the question, which is clearly about the merits based selection process that was undertaken.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the point of order, the minister clearly was responding to the appointment, which was the nub of the question. I put to you that he was being directly relevant in accordance with the standing orders.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do believe the minister was being relevant to the question, because it did go to the nature of overturning what was alleged to have been a decision. But I will listen carefully to the minister's continued answer, and if he strays from the question I will draw his attention to that, Senator Birmingham.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government, when they're making these sorts of appointments, considers—and I in particular consider—a number of factors where there is a clear advantage to be represented by people who've had distinguished careers beyond the Public Service, such as businesspeople and former parliamentarians. I'd note that that was frequently done by the former government. That's the process that—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hume?

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a point of order, the question was specifically about whether the minister overturned a merits based process.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And the minister is being relevant to the question, Senator Hume.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He did not answer that question. He has not answered that question.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hume, there is ample opportunity after this, in take note, to pursue your point of view, but the minister is being relevant. He's talking about the selection process and the reason for the decision. I am listening carefully, and if there is a deviation from the question I will remind him and draw him back to it.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I followed the usual processes which apply in respect of these sorts of appointments.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hume, first supplementary?

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, when did you advise Austrade of your intention to overturn the process? Had Ms Thomson already been advised of her selection at that time? If so, how long after her selection was she advised that you had overturned the process?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My understanding is that Ms Thomson made an application for a number of positions, and she is now representing—or is about to represent—Australia in Singapore. I am very confident that she will do a terrific job in that regard. All these processes were conducted in the proper way. I made a decision based on what I thought was in the best interests of Australia in its San Francisco mission.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hume, second supplementary?

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As a result of overturning the merits based process following the selection and notification of a preferred candidate, has Austrade had to provide an alternative opportunity to Ms Thomson to avoid paying compensation for ministerial cancellation of that merits based process? Is it true that Ms Thomson even had to train her replacement, Senator Farrell's former union and Senate colleague Chris Ketter?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, can I say Ms Thomson will be a wonderful representative, like so many hardworking members of Austrade, in—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Farrell. Senator Hume, on a point of order?

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I didn't ask how good Chris Ketter is going to be. I just want the question answered.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will remind the minister of the question, Senator Hume.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I've answered your question, Senator Hume.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator Birmingham, on a point of order?

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

President, it is not directly relevant for a minister just to say, 'I've answered the question,' when the question has so blatantly not been answered. It was a very clear question about whether or not Ms Thomson had had to be offered an alternative role to avoid compensation payments. Senator Farrell has not come remotely close to answering that question.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Birmingham. Senator Wong?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would make the point that my recollection is that in a previous answer, in fact, there was a reference to which appointment had been made. I make the point that, if Senator Birmingham is correct and reference to a previous answer is not appropriate, there'd be a lot of former ministers on that side who did not comply with that order for many years. So I submit to you that—

I'll take the interjection from Senator Cash. She seems to think—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, you're on a point of order.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

pointing out how they behaved is—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Please resume your seat. I will remind senators that interjections are disorderly.

Senator Cash, I've just reminded the chamber—

Senator Wong and Senator Cash, order! I have just reminded the Senate that interjections are disorderly. In relation to your point of order, Senator Birmingham, just before you rose I did remind the senator of the question, and he has given the response that he believes, from recollection, he followed all processes.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said, Ms Thomson has been appointed to a position which I understand she applied for, and she will do a fantastic job representing Australia, as all of the Austrade workers do.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that further questions be placed on notice.