Senator HINCH (Victoria) (15:30): I move: That the Senate take note of the comments of the Attorney-General when representing the Prime Minister this afternoon. Earlier today the Attorney-General was on Sky News, speaking to Peter van Onselen and defending the Prime Minister's comment that the High Court 'will' make a judgement in favour of Barnaby Joyce. The Prime Minister said in the House yesterday: The Leader of the National Party, the Deputy Prime Minister, is qualified to sit in this House, and the High Court will so hold. 'Will so hold.' It was not 'in my opinion, the High Court will do this'—not anything like that— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Hinch, please resume your seat. Senator Brandis? Senator Brandis: I'm loath to interrupt Senator Hinch, because he has something interesting to say, I'm sure, but you can't move to take note of questions asked by Peter van Onselen. You can only move to take note of questions asked in this chamber during question time. I'm forced to point out I wasn't asked by any senator a question on this topic in this chamber today, although I was, I must say, asked some penetrating questions by Peter van Onselen. Senator HINCH: The question was asked by the Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Di Natale, about the member for New England, and I will keep my remarks to that area. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: So, Senator Hinch, you're talking about questions from Senator Di Natale to the Attorney-General. Please continue. Senator HINCH: How could the Attorney-General appear here and defend the Prime Minister? The Prime Minister said, 'The High Court will rule in favour,' not, 'As a former successful Skycatcher lawyer, I make that opinion,' as the Prime Minister would be entitled to say. He said 'the High Court will'. Where the heck is separation of church and state when the Prime Minister, on a very sensitive issue which could determine the future of this government, can get up in the House and say 'the High Court will'? As I say, there is separation of church and state. What he said was a disgrace. The fact is that the member for New England is still there. The Attorney-General stood alongside Matt Canavan as he resigned from the ministry, resigned from the cabinet and said he wouldn't vote until after the High Court, and at the same time we've got the Attorney-General trying to fiddle the books and claim that Barnaby Joyce can stay as Deputy Prime Minister until the High Court decides, which may be three months away.