QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE › Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education
Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Minister for Finance and the Public Service, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:09): As I have already indicated in answer to the first question, the Prime Minister has full confidence in Minister Cash. In relation to some of the other matters that Senator Wong raises, I have absolutely full confidence in Senator Cash. In relation to some of the other— The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, on a point of order? Senator Wong: The point of order is on direct relevance. I assume my colleague Senator Cormann was getting to it. The question was whether or not the actions were appropriate and within the law. Is that the Prime Minister's belief? The PRESIDENT: The minister has been speaking for 15 seconds—Senator Cormann, on the point of order. Senator CORMANN: When Senator Wong is asking me for a legal opinion, I believe that that is actually contrary to standing orders. Senator Wong: No, I'm asking whether the Prime Minister believes her actions were appropriate. Senator CORMANN: I've already said the Prime Minister has full confidence in the minister. I have full confidence in the minister— The PRESIDENT: Just to clarify, are we on the answer or the point of order? Senator Cormann: Sorry. The PRESIDENT: On the point of order, the minister had been speaking for 15 seconds. I will listen carefully, but it sounded to me like he was coming directly to the points you raised. I can't instruct him how to answer the question, as long he's relevant to part of it. Senator CORMANN: Thank you very much, Mr President. Firstly, as I've already indicated on a number of occasions now, the Prime Minister has full confidence in Minister Cash. The second point I would make is that it is not consistent with standing orders to ask ministers to provide a legal opinion. The third point I would make is that, obviously, all of these matters that Senator Wong has canvassed are currently the subject of court hearings, which will test all of the evidence and which will make judgments at the end of that process. It is entirely— The PRESIDENT: Senator Collins, on a point of order. Senator Jacinta Collins: Thank you, Mr President. Can I ask you to remind the minister that that is a matter you ruled on yesterday, in relation to matters currently before the courts. The PRESIDENT: It's not a matter to address a statement the minister is making. There's nothing out of order in what the minister said. There is nothing out of order in the question. He's being directly relevant to the question. Senator CORMANN: Let me say it very slowly again for Senator Collins. No. 1: the Prime Minister has full confidence in Minister Cash. No. 2: I will not be providing legal opinions in relation to the matters that are currently— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, a final supplementary question.