Sue Lines President
We have moved on, Senator McKenzie. Senator Tyrrell was on her feet, asking her question, and you continued to interject. If you can't sit quietly, leave the chamber. Senator Tyrrell, please start again.
Tammy Tyrrell Tasmania, Independent
My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services, Senator Farrell. Giving birth to twins in Australia is incorrectly and unfairly classified as a single birth. This misclassification is causing Tasmanian and mainland families to struggle financially. When I wrote to Minister Rishworth in the previous parliament, last year, I was informed that the government would not treat those that have twins as having had multiple births, because they think it's more important to fund those with higher order multiples—that is, triplets or more. God help any family! I reached out to the Australian Multiple Birth Association, who told me that those families that have twins face a cost burden of five times a single birth, so why does the government continue to exclude families with twins from recognition under the multiple birth allowance and other financial supports?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
2:33 pm
I thank Senator Tyrrell for her question. I am not the Minister for Social Services, as you would be aware, but I am representing the minister today. I appreciate your question.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
The senator has asked a really genuine question. She is representing her constituencies in Tasmania.
Paul Scarr Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration
It's about 30 seconds, Don.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I think the minimum you could do, Senator Scarr, is to give her the courtesy—
Tammy Tyrrell Tasmania, Independent
No disrespect, but I think that we should get back to the question, if that's okay.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
Thank you for that intervention, Senator Tyrrell. Just so you're clear, I was simply defending your right to ask this question on behalf of your constituents. You've asked a very—
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Special Minister of State
A point of order on relevance. I think we'd all agree that the minister, as much as we do like him, has not gone anywhere near answering the question that was put by the senator.
Sue Lines President
The minister is being relevant. He has acknowledged the question. He has further acknowledged that he is not the directly responsible minister.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I can see that the opposition is completely opposed to me answering this question in a proper way. I will take this issue up with the minister. We've got a very fine minister in this space who's very determined to do the best for the community generally, but in particular Tasmania, and I will come back with a proper response to your question.
Tammy Tyrrell Tasmania, Independent
2:36 pm
In September 2023, in answering a dorothy dixer during questions without notice, you said that the Housing and Homelessness Ministerial Council had met 'multiple times this year'. That council met two times in 2023. Does two count as multiple, or did you mislead the Senate?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
2:37 pm
I never, ever, ever mislead the Senate. I make a determined effort on every occasion to make sure that I answer each question directly. If on the odd occasion I do get it wrong—sometimes I do; I have to admit that—I come in and make an admission. I would say, based on the question you've just asked me, that the answer I gave on that occasion was the correct one. Two is more than one, and it's a multiple. If that's the question you're asking me, my answer is that I've answered it correctly.
Tammy Tyrrell Tasmania, Independent
2:38 pm
Instead of basing eligibility on the tortured logic of a definition of 'multiple' that nobody outside of the ministerial wing would recognise, wouldn't it be simpler to listen to the AMBA and base multiple birth support payments on the number of children that are born, and potentially have tiers of support based on how high the number is?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
I hear what you're saying in that regard. I shall, again, take it up with the minister directly responsible for this issue and I will come back with a genuine response to your question.