QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator BLYTH (South Australia) (14:33): Minister, you can't outline any year where productivity increased under your watch. You can't outline how, let alone when, any of your policies will have an effect. Minister, does the Prime Minister have a plan to address Australia's productivity decline that is cutting living standards and killing our economy, or do you admit that Labor isn't working for Australians?

Senator WONG: First, I look forward to you leading the charge from inside the coalition to support some of these productivity measures, Senator, such as reducing red tape, which, as I understand it, the coalition has not yet backed in. I look forward to you participating and actually trying to improve— Senator McKenzie interjecting— Senator WONG: Do you have to keep shouting, Senator McKenzie?

The PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie, come to order! Senator WONG: Those opposite voted against— Senator McKenzie: This is an absolute joke. The PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie, either listen in silence or leave the chamber!

Senator WONG: Those opposite come in here and complain about productivity but voted against the EPBC reforms, which are all about productivity. They voted against regulatory reform, which is all about productivity. Why don't you put up or shut up on this issue?

Why don't you put up or shut up? You complain, but you always vote the other way. You and One Nation are voting against economic reform because you're too worried about the voters which are going with One Nation, instead of behaving like a party of government should.

The PRESIDENT: I'm going back to Senator Shoebridge now.