Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Farrell. Minister, the Building Industry 2000 slush fund was first exposed at the 2014 royal commission, more than a decade ago, as a CFMEU controlled slush fund worth over $1 million used to bankroll union and political campaigns. Today it still holds over $920,000. Under this government's watch, former CFMEU bosses John Setka and Ralph Edwards secretly transferred the fund's registration to Edwards's private home address, and the administrator appointed to clean up the union didn't even know it had happened. Given the administrator has known about this fund for over 10 years and it has been on the public record since the royal commission, how can the Prime Minister possibly have confidence in him when the same slush fund is being used to undermine his administration?

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

I thank the senator for her question. It's the Labor government that has been taking on the CFMEU. It's the Labor Party, particularly under Minister Watt, that took all the steps to put the—

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

Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. I remind senators of the motion passed in this Senate yesterday for extra questions. As I said at the onset of question 11, these questions will be heard in silence. If you can't maintain your silence, please leave the Senate. Minister Farrell, please continue.

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

Thank you for that protection. It's this Labor government that has been taking the action against the rogue CFMEU. You had all these organisations in place to try and deal with it, and none of them—none of them—did the job. It's the Labor government, led by Prime Minister Albanese—and I'll point out that it was Prime Minister Albanese who expelled John Setka from the Labor Party. Not only have we taken action against the union; we've taken it against the—

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

Senator McGrath, which part of my request for silence did you not understand? Please continue, Minister Farrell.

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

I totally reject the premise of your question. I've mentioned it before, and I'll say it again: this is an action government. This is an action government. Where we see a problem, we act.

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

Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator McKenzie.

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

On a point of order on direct relevance, the minister hasn't gone anywhere near the fund that the senator mentioned in her question. He knows that Premier Malinauskas—

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

That's enough. We're not having statements. The minister is being relevant to the question. I'll continue to listen carefully, and, if he isn't, I will draw him back to the question. Minister Farrell.

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

I've finished.

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

You've finished? Senator Kovacic, first supplementary?

Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There was no answer to my initial question. However, Minister, if the administrator didn't even know this transfer had occurred, how can Australians have any confidence that he is in control or that Minister Rishworth is? Does the Prime Minister still have confidence in his minister, given that she doesn't know what's happening under her watch or she simply does not care?

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

I thank Senator Kovacic for her first supplementary question. I would have no doubt that the Prime Minister has the greatest confidence in Minister Rishworth. I've known Minister Rishworth for a very, very long time. I also have the greatest of confidence in her. If anybody can deal with the issues of corruption and other issues in the CFMEU, it will be Minister Rishworth. She is full bottle on all of these issues, and I think she is absolutely the perfect person to be taking it up to the CFMEU. She will get to the bottom of all of these things—have no doubt. (Time expired)

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

Senator Kovacic, second supplementary?

Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister confirm that Mr Zach Smith is still a member of the ALP National Executive?

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

Senator Kovacic, I believe that is not a portfolio question. That goes to party machinery. But I will invite the minister to respond in whatever way he thinks is appropriate. Minister Farrell.

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

I don't know, but I'll find out for you.

Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to ask a question on behalf of the state of New South Wales regarding smelting in the Australian manufacturing sector.

Leave not granted.

Michelle Ananda-Rajah (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to ask a question on behalf of the state of Victoria regarding the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Leave not granted.