Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Farrell. Yesterday this chamber responded to the government's continued refusal to comply with orders of this chamber and, in addition, its failure to deliver on a commitment made by Senator Gallagher to this chamber to release a document that is now two years old. It was a constructive and proportionate response seeking to get answers from a government determined to give no answers. Minister, can you confirm that the government respects and understands the resolutions and decisions of this chamber?

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order across the chamber! I'm waiting for order.

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

I thank Senator McKenzie for her question. Yes, the minister has said she will release the report, and, in my experience, when Senator Gallagher says she will do something, she does do it.

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

Not table it for two years?

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

Well, one day, if you ever get back into government, Senator, you may understand that sometimes, if you want to get things right—and I know so many times, in government, you got things wrong because you rushed them. We like to get things right. There are two things about this government. We're an action government. When we see a problem, we go in and we fix it. But, secondly, when we fix a problem, we make sure we do it correctly. We make sure we do it correctly, and we take the time to get it right. Now, I know that's a difficult concept for the coalition to understand—the idea of getting something right in policy terms.

But I make the point that Senator Gallagher has already said this document will be released at the appropriate time. It will be released when the appropriate consideration has been undertaken, and, when we release it and we make the responses, it'll be correct. (Time expired)

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

Senator McKenzie, first supplementary?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, the independence of this chamber, of which you are a member, is protected in law, in the Constitution and by centuries of parliamentary convention, and that protection guards against heavy-handed tactics by a desperate executive seeking to wield its power to punish different views. Minister, can you confirm that the government executive will not seek to use the privilege of executive power to punish political opponents?

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

I thank Senator McKenzie for her first supplementary question. I don't think there's any government or any prime minister of this country who's been more receptive and cooperative with members of the parliament—with members of the opposition or, for that matter, the crossbench.

Opposition Senator:

An opposition senator interjecting—

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

Senator, I'm not embarrassed by that, because it's the truth. It's the truth. I know this man—in fact, from that point of view, Senator McKenzie, I know him better than most. But we're a transparent government. I've spoken in my answer to the previous question that you asked me about many of the things that we've done in the transparency space. (Time expired)

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

Senator McKenzie, second supplementary?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, the opposition has been made aware that the government does intend to take retaliatory action as a result of its decision to vote in favour of transparency. I'm advised that the Leader of the House in the other place has specifically threatened to remove parliamentarians from positions and has stated that this is specifically to reduce their remuneration as a result of a decision in this chamber. Minister, can you confirm to this chamber that the tactics of the CFMEU have now been revealed as the tactics of the Labor government in the workplace of the national parliament?

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

Order! Senator Ayres and Senator McGrath, if you want to chat, do it outside the chamber. Perhaps there will be fewer interjections if you do that. Senator McKenzie, I am advised that the management of the House of Representatives chamber is not within the portfolio area of—

It's not a debating point, Senator McKenzie. I'm simply advising that your question is not within the portfolio area of the minister. However, I am going to invite the minister once again to answer it in whatever way he sees fit.

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

I thank Senator—

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The influence of the other place on this place's decisions is important.

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

With respect, Senator McKenzie, I've chosen to answer your question. I am totally transparent and will answer—

With me, Senator McGrath, what you see is what you get—nothing more, nothing less. I'm unaware of the suggestions that you make in your question, Senator McKenzie. Certainly, I haven't had any conversations with the manager from the other place. So many things are serious issues for the Australian people, whether it's the cost of living, interest rates or housing, and you're completely focused on your own issues. What about starting to focus on the issues that affect Australian people? Why don't you— (Time expired)