QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator HUME (Victoria—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:00): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. On 30 July, the CFMEU administrator, Michael Crosby, was asked on ABC's 7.30 why John Sitka's membership was suspended for only five years. He answered: Because the rules limit me to a maximum period of five years.

That's as much as I can do. Asked whether the rules need to be changed, he answered 'maybe'. Does the government accept the administrator's statement that five years is the maximum sanction available to him, no matter how serious the conduct?