Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher. In April 2022, the then opposition leader, Anthony Albanese, made a solemn promise to the Australian people. He said:

Earlier today I made a mistake. I'm human. But when I make a mistake, I'll fess up to it, and I'll set about correcting that mistake … I won't blame someone else, I'll accept responsibility. That's what leaders do.

Minister, the Prime Minister gestured towards his own chest to describe a female prime minister's body during a crude exchange comparing her to Pamela Anderson. Does the Prime Minister's refusal to accept responsibility for that conduct confirm to Australians that the Prime Minister will say one thing before an election and something else afterwards?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't know who handed you that question, Senator Ruston, but if it were me I might have politely declined. I'm very proud to work for a prime minister who has put women's economic security front and centre of a federal government for the first time ever. I am very proud to work for that leader. I work with him every day. I work with him across my portfolios, including in the ministry of women. I know that this is a leader that always stands up for women and always respects women.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order across the chamber! Order! The minister is entitled to be heard in silence.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister is a leader that always prioritises addressing gender inequality and unfairness for women when he sees it and always respects women both in the decisions he takes and in the engagements he has. I am proud to work for him. I think there's been a lot of discussion. I can see those opposite are, of course, not focused on the issues like cost of living and helping households—

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications and Digital Safety) | Link to this | Hansard source

It is disgusting that you don't want to call it out. It is disgusting.

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

Order! Minister McCarthy on a point of order?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm finding it very difficult to hear the amazing words of my colleague.

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order!

Senator Henderson interjecting—

Order! Senator Henderson, which bit of 'order' does not apply to you? I ask that the minister be heard in silence.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

This is a prime minister who has overseen a caucus where more than 50 per cent of the caucus members are women and a cabinet of Australia that, for the first time ever, is 50 per cent women. In areas of government such as foreign policy, law, finance, housing, social services—you name it—women are leading the portfolios and that is because of this prime minister.

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

Senator Henderson?

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications and Digital Safety) | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam President, I raise a point of order on direct relevance. Will the Minister for Women apologise for the Prime Minister's disgusting behaviour?

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

Senator Henderson, almost every question time I remind you that it's not your opportunity to call a point of order and make a statement. There is no point of order. Please continue, Minister Gallagher.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

The record of achievement of this Prime Minister in investments in women's safety, in investments in housing support for women, in areas like income support, single parenting payment, Commonwealth rent assistance, wages, aged care, early education and care—and I could go on— (Time expired)

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

Senator Ruston, a first supplementary?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has previously apologised unequivocally for the disrespectful comments he made about Kylie Minogue. Minister, why does the Prime Minister believe some conduct that demeans women deserves an apology while gesturing at his own chest to describe a woman's body does not?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has dealt with this. He has. As much as it's inconvenient for you, Senator Ruston, the Prime Minister—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

I'm sorry, Minister Gallagher; please resume your seat. Senator Ruston was given the respect of asking her question in silence. The minute I called the minister, the interjections began again. You are to listen in respectful silence or I invite you to leave the chamber. Minister Gallagher, please continue.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has dealt with the issues that were raised by Senator Ruston. I will go on to say that, in addition to the other areas where I've spoken about the Prime Minister's record of achievement, there is another area. I think in time when people reflect back they will see a prime minister who for the first time ever in this country prioritised women's health—on the pill, in endometriosis, on pelvic pain, in menopause and on all of the areas that when those opposite had a decade in government they did nothing. They didn't list the modern contraceptive pill for 30 years or a modern menopause pill for 20 years. This Prime Minister has done both and put their record to shame. I could go on. There are other areas where women's policy has been prioritised for the first time, and all of us are proud to work with him.

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Senator Ruston, I would appreciate it if your own frontbench came to order. Senator Ruston, a second supplementary?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, as the minister responsible for the status of women in this country, do you accept that a gesture of that kind made as part of that conversation was demeaning to women? If so, what conversation have you had with the Prime Minister about the standard he sets for how women in this country can expect to be spoken to?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

As you've heard in my public comments where I have been asked about this—and I was, extensively, yesterday—I indicated that the comments made by the Prime Minister have been misinterpreted, misreported and weaponised by his political opponents. What a surprise! Now, as the Minister for Women in this country—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

I'm sorry, Minister. Please resume your seat. Order! Senator McAllister, on a point of order?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm simply making the point that you are making, which is that interjections are disorderly.

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

Thank you.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

The record of this prime minister will be seen as investments in women's safety, investments in addressing housing for women, addressing—

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

Minister, please resume your seat. Senator Henderson!

Excuse me, Senator Nampijinpa Price. I've called for order. Senator Henderson, I have called you repeatedly. As I've said in this chamber before, I do not think it is appropriate for a president to name frontbench senators, but you will leave me no option if you do not take my direction, and that is to stop the interjections.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

It can be seen in investments in housing, in addressing the inequality in care and how unpaid care is recognised in the economy, in lifting wages and in closing pay and super gaps. That is what this government and this prime minister will be remembered for. In no recent times has women's policy been put front and centre of any government until he became prime minister.