The National Party team are delivering results for particularly regional Australians. Since Mr McCormack became leader, we’ve achieved another $1½ billion for Roads of Strategic Importance in Northern Australia, which is one of my portfolio responsibilities,
Senator WATT (Queensland) (14:31):
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Canavan. When asked yesterday about the National Party leadership, Minister Littleproud said, ‘I am not interested in any leadership position.’ Does that remain Minister Littleproud’s position?
Senator CANAVAN (Queensland—Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) (14:32):
I find Minister Littleproud to be a very frank and open person. I’m sure the public can agree with the comments he has made, and I have no indication that they have changed.
The PRESIDENT:
Senator Watt, a supplementary question.
Senator WATT (Queensland) (14:32):
Following ongoing reports of dissatisfaction with the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister McCormack, one Nationals MP has said that Minister Littleproud is a leadership contender because:
He’s the new kid on the block, the fresh apple off the tree so it doesn’t have any bugs on it.
Does Deputy Prime Minister McCormack retain the support of Minister Littleproud?
Senator CANAVAN (Queensland—Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) (14:33):
I know that Senator Watt likes talking about new kids on the block, because I think, Senator Watt, you might be one yourself! You have already progressed quite far in your short career. So we’re all watching with interest as you move up the ranks. I’m not sure if there are bugs on you or not, Senator Watt, but I’m sure they won’t slow you down! They won’t stop you trying to progress.
Opposition senators interjecting—
The PRESIDENT:
Order! Senator Wong, on a point of order.
Senator Wong:
It goes to direct relevance. I’m surprised the minister doesn’t want to answer whether or not the Deputy Prime Minister retains the support of the agriculture minister. That was the question.
The PRESIDENT:
It is easier to keep ministers directly relevant when they are not responding to interjections from the same side of the chamber. Both are disorderly.
Senator CANAVAN:
The answer to the question is yes, along the original answer that I gave to the question. But it’s nice to see that Senator Watt is very focused on leadership issues. He’s focused on challenges to others, because I’m sure that focuses his mind quite often in his role, as he moves up the ranks in the Labor Party. But what I’m focused on and I know Mr Littleproud is focused on is building things in this country—building dams and doing things for farmers. I was speaking to Minister Littleproud about those things just this morning. That is what we are focused on.
The PRESIDENT:
Senator Watt, a final supplementary question.
Senator WATT (Queensland) (14:34):
Does Deputy Prime Minister McCormack retain the support of the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Canavan? Can Minister Canavan guarantee to the Senate and to Australians that Mr McCormack will still be Deputy Prime Minister this time next week?
Senator CANAVAN (Queensland—Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) (14:34):
Yes, I can, because Michael McCormack, the Leader of the Nationals, and the National Party team are delivering results for particularly regional Australians. Since Mr McCormack became leader, we’ve achieved another $1½ billion for Roads of Strategic Importance in Northern Australia, which is one of my portfolio responsibilities, along with another $2 billion—
The PRESIDENT:
Senator Watt on a point of order.
Senator Watt:
Yes, on relevance, Mr President. My question was simply whether Minister Canavan could guarantee that Mr McCormack will be Deputy Prime Minister this time next week.
The PRESIDENT:
Senator Cormann on a point of order.
Senator Cormann:
I don’t know how more directly relevant—
Opposition senators interjecting—
The PRESIDENT:
Order on my left! Only 25 minutes to go.
Senator Cormann:
Clearly those opposite, because they were not actually interested in the answer, didn’t listen to the directly relevant answer that was provided right up-front. If they were interested in the future of the Australian economy and the future for Australian families, rather than just political games, they would have realised that the answer was directly relevant.
The PRESIDENT:
I will rule on the point of order. Senator Watt, your first question was, ‘Does the Deputy Prime Minister retain the support of the minister?’ He was directly answering that question.
Senator CANAVAN:
Thank you, Mr President. I thought I recollected saying yes to a yes-or-no question. So, I don’t know how I could have been more directly relevant. But it did give me an opportunity to remind the Senate, the Australian people, of the great things Mr McCormack and the Nationals team are achieving for Australians.
Opposition senators interjecting—
The PRESIDENT:
Order on my left! I’m having trouble hearing the minister.
Senator CANAVAN:
Of course, the other thing that has been a great achievement is the response to the record-breaking drought we are currently living through: the $1.8 billion we’ve put aside to help farmers, and my colleague Senator McKenzie is putting money to councils to build infrastructure projects to provide employment in local towns affected by drought. We’ll just keep getting on with that.
