James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Australians are paying record prices for energy, for fuel and for groceries. Everywhere they turn, they are paying more. In the middle of all of this, the government is proposing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars creating over 40 new politicians and increasing the size of parliament. Minister, who is asking for this—the Australian people or the Australian Labor Party?

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

Can I say, as a general proposition, that the Australian Labor Party is pretty happy with the size and composition of the current parliament. I think that would be the approach we would take, but I am aware—was it Senator Canavan who was keen or the National Party who was keen on increasing the size of the parliament? But I think that's a matter for them.

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

Senator McGrath, first supplementary?

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

PBO costings show that expanding parliament by over 40 politicians will cost taxpayers more than $600 million. Minister, how can the government justify spending more than $600 million on more politicians when Australians cannot afford to fill their cars?

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

Again, I would say that we on this side are happy with the current size and composition of the parliament. It is—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order!

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

If I may—

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order across the chamber!

Senator Farrell, come to order. I think that's the first time I've ever called you to order. Minister Wong.

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

It is, of course, standing practice for the—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Oh, boy! I'll just wait.

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

Order across the chamber!

Honourable senators interjecting—

I'm still waiting. Minister Wong.

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

It is, of course, standard practice that the multiparty JSCEM undertake a review after every election to consider what we can learn from those elections and the matters that affect our democracy. It's a routine process that is still underway. I don't believe it's even tabled an interim report, so I think you're jumping the gun a bit.

If I may, while I'm on my feet, I congratulate you for taking the top of the Senate ticket, Senator McGrath. But we would say to you that you probably have some self-interest in not wanting the parliament changed. (Time expired)

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! This is question time, not yelling-across-the-chamber time. Senator McGrath, second supplementary?

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, no party took this to the last election, no voter was consulted and no Australian asked for this. Will the government rule out expanding the size of parliament—yes or no?

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

Again, we are happy on this side of the chamber with the size and the composition of the parliament. I would say to you, Senator, though, it does seem slightly odd that I have had lectures from you about being out of touch, but, in the middle of a fuel crisis, a conflict in the Middle East and the largest global shock to energy markets in Australian history, you want to talk about yourself.

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

Minister, please resume your seat.

Government senators interjecting—

Order, senators on my right!

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a point of order, I seek to table the costings from the PBO showing $600 million of taxpayer—

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

Senator McGrath, resume your seat. Minister Wong, had you concluded your answer?

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

Yes, thank you.