Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The Prime Minister denied breaking his $275 power bill promise. He denied breaking his promise on superannuation. He denied breaking his promise not to change taxes on capital gains, on negative gearing and on trusts. He even denied falling off a stage when there was video evidence. Now, after making sexist comments and gestures about Japan's first female prime minister, he again refuses to admit the truth despite the video evidence. Minister, why does the Prime Minister find it so difficult to admit when he is wrong and tell Australians the truth?

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

I'll make a few responses to the very many aspects of that question. Firstly, in relation to energy, I would make the point that you were amongst those who opposed the additional assistance for energy for working Australians and their families. In relation to tax cuts, I would refer you, Senator Hume, to the reason why you are known as the senator for higher taxes. It is that you not only opposed tax cuts but actually referred to those tax cuts as 'egregious'. When it comes to relationships with other countries, I would refer you to the statement by the Japanese ambassador, which spoke about the personal trust between the two leaders.

What I would say is we know what those opposite are seeking to do. They have done everything they could this week to create a diplomatic issue between Australia and Japan, whether it was by the media stunt by Senator Paterson or, and I will say this, the shadow foreign minister's extraordinary move in summoning the Japanese ambassador as part of attempts to political point score. That you would actually seek to bring the ambassador in, in order to add to your political stunts and to confect a diplomatic issue between Australia and our very good friend in Japan—it is astounding that the shadow foreign minister would seek to do this and undermine the interests of his own country, which of course is to have a strong, trusted relationship with the government of Japan. That is what this government has done, and I would refer you to all that has been said by the leader.

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

Senator Ruston, you will withdraw those comments.

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

Withdraw.

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

Thank you. Senator Hume, first supplementary?

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations) | Link to this | Hansard source

Numerous reports today quote Labor parliamentarians saying that the Prime Minister will not apologise because, when he gets something in his head, he doesn't back down until he has to, and that is now harder for him to do so because female Labor ministers have publicly defended him. After you defended the Prime Minister, did you advise the Prime Minister that, now that you've defended him, he can't come out and admit the truth? Or did he in fact assure you that your defence of him was true?

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

Order! Senator Ruston, withdraw that comment.

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

I withdraw.

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

I would be surprised that, on this day, you would try to talk about what's in the media from people who are backgrounding about internals. I have to say that I've looked briefly at some of the transcripts and comments in the media by which poor old Senator Bragg has been cut down by those around him who are not interested in what he has to say and are very grouchy about it. I would want him to stand up and tell us. He says he knows who's undermining him. I wonder if it's the deputy leader. I hope not. I hope it's not part of what you're doing.

But I'll come back. What we have seen is the opposition trying to ensure that they create a diplomatic issue between Australia and Japan, two countries who are special strategic partners, and I will continue to do all I can to strengthen that relationship.

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

Senator Hume, second supplementary?

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, in Labor circles, you are a role model to women. You are not merely a member of the government; you are also the Leader of the Government in the Senate. When the Prime Minister appointed you to that position, was it part of your job description that you had to defend his sexist comments and gestures and not tell the truth to this Senate and to the Australian people?

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

():  I actually am not sure that's worthy of an answer, Senator. You are the deputy leader of a party which seeks to govern, and what you are part of—and you know you are—along with others on your side, including, remarkably, the shadow Foreign minister, is to try and ensure that you create a diplomatic issue between Australia and its special strategic partner Japan. We will continue, on this side, to hold fast to what is in Australia's national interests, something that you used to understand, Senator Paterson. It was a bipartisan interest for both parties to support the relationship with Japan, and I think it says something that the modern Liberal Party have walked away from that.