Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Women) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. In an awkward moment at a press conference this morning, the New South Wales Premier stepped in to shield the Prime Minister from questions about his lewd comments and hand gestures in relation to the Japanese Prime Minister. Minister, why does the Prime Minister of Australia need the New South Wales Premier to protect him from answering questions about this matter?

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

I'm very happy to talk about awkward press conferences. I think anybody who watched the Leader of the Opposition's press conference today, where he declined to answer multiple questions from a journalist in relation to what is happening in New South Wales before, I think, the Independent Commission Against Corruption—I think that what I saw was an awkward press conference, notwithstanding the behaviour that was recorded afterwards. So I think this is a day where, really, the opposition ought not be asking about awkward press conferences.

The Prime Minister was at a press conference today where we announced what this government is doing to deliver real change and to ensure jobs are protected in the Hunter. That's what we're about.

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

I am going to remind the senators on my right that Senator Kovacic has the right to have her question heard in silence. Senator Kovacic?

Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Women) | Link to this | Hansard source

Before Premier Chris Minns stepped in, the Prime Minister began his answer by saying, 'I've talked to you today. I've talked to you today. I've used my hands,' before changing tack. Was the Prime Minister seriously trying to explain away the very deliberate and obvious gestures he made in the podcast as simply the normal use of his hands in a conversation?

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

Order! I'm waiting for order across the chamber. Order, Senator Cash and Senator Ayres.

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

The Prime Minister was in the Hunter to announce what this government has done—with very good work, if I can say, from Senator Ayres, the minister, and others, including the member of federal parliament Ms Swanson—

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

Do you reckon you could be relevant to the question?

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

I'll take the interjection from Senator Ruston. You know, only Senator Ruston and Liberal senators could say there was nothing relevant about Australian jobs. Only a Liberal senator and a member of the leadership team could come into this place and say there's nothing relevant about Australian jobs.

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

Senator Paterson, I'd invite you to look around and see you have a senator on her feet. Senator Kovacic.

Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Women) | Link to this | Hansard source

Relevance. None of that answer, to that point, had anything to do with my question at all.

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

Well, Senator Kovacic, the minister is being relevant, and I will remind those on my left that if they make interjections, the minister is entitled to take the interjections.

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

Senator Kovacic, you've referred to the Prime Minister's press conference. What was important about that press conference is what was being announced, which was the protection of many jobs in this country, and we are very proud of that.

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

Senator Kovacic, second supplementary?

Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Women) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, this is about honesty and integrity. Just weeks ago, the Prime Minister himself said it was completely unacceptable to demean, objectify, belittle or offend women. The conversation he took part in was demeaning. It objectified women. Many people, including myself, found it offensive. Does the Prime Minister hold himself to the same standard that he expects of the rest of us?

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

The Prime Minister has dealt with that. Similar questions have been asked of Minister Gallagher, and she has dealt with that. We have responded in full. I appreciate that you want to continue to press on this. As I said to you, the focus of the Prime Minister's press conference today was the fact that the largest aluminium smelter in Australia will continue, and many jobs and industries which rely on that will also continue.