Wednesday, 19 March 2025

Questions on notice

Answers

The PRESIDENT (12:48): I have received a written request from Mr Davis seeking the partial reinstatement of question on notice 1565. Having reviewed the response, I order parts (b) (c) (d) and (f) of the question on notice to be reinstated again as the further response once again does not provide the information sought which, as noted in the previous reinstatement, is not available in the department’s annual report.

Harriet Shing: On a point of order, President, I am just after some guidance here. Mr Davis misled the house egregiously last night when he referred to the Yallourn power station and discussions which were proven immediately to be incorrect. Quoting the Australian does not make it a fact, and I was wondering if Mr Davis wished to make a personal explanation to the house.

David Davis: On the point of order, President, I hear that the government’s desperate attempt to put out a news release and to attack the Australian in this way is not borne out by all of the facts.I read what has been put out by the government, but I have since been further informed that there is actually some significant doubt about the government’s veracity on these matters indeed and the Australian, as I understand it, is actually very well informed.

The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. It kind of all got weird. Is it going to get weirder?

Harriet Shing: On that basis, I move, by leave:

That an opportunity be given right now for debate for the purpose of hearing Mr Davis provide a personal explanation to the house in relation to his comments last night around the Yallourn power station.

Leave refused.