QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:11): First, I would make the point that, as I said and the Prime Minister said, we are saying to Australians, 'Use what fuel you need to but no more.' That is consistent with what you have just put to me. But, if I may say, Senator Duniam, what that question demonstrates is precisely the motivation that your leaked talking points demonstrate.
What it says— Opposition senators interjecting— Senator WONG: I'll take the interjection from Senator Cash. She persistently interjects that she's standing up for the Australian people. No, you are standing up your political interests.
And we know that from the leaked talking points. The message of the day was 'Create doubt about fuel supply.' The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, resume your seat. Senator Duniam?
Senator Duniam: On a point around relevance, I asked a very specific question, as you recall. This has nothing to do with it. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Duniam.
I am well aware of your question. I also remind you that, where senators interject, the minister is perfectly within her rights to take the interjection. So, as I have been saying since 2 pm—I have been calling for order—if you can get people to be quiet then that would be a gold star for you.
Minister Wong, please continue. Senator WONG: I was asked by this shadow minister, Senator Duniam, about confidence in the fuel supply. It is exactly what he has been asked to do.
It is in leaked talking points that the opposition is being tasked with creating doubt about fuel. You're doing exactly— The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Canavan?
Senator Canavan: Given the minister is reading from a document, could I ask for it to be tabled? I haven't seen the talking points and I'm on Andrew Bolt tonight, so I wouldn't mind reading them! The PRESIDENT: Senator Canavan, please.
Resume your seat. Minister Wong. Senator WONG: Senator Canavan, thank you for narrowing down the suspected leakers by exclusion of the National Party; we appreciate it!
And I am quoting from the Daily Telegraph and what was published about your leaked talking points. At least Senator Duniam is a loyal member of the Taylor team. He is doing what the leaked talking points tell us about the strategy, which is: 'Create doubt.
Sow fear.' The problem for the opposition is that it simply demonstrates why they are unfit to seek to be the alternative government of Australia. The PRESIDENT: Senator Duniam, first supplementary.