3 years ago
ABSENCE NO EXCUSE TO EVADE ACCOUNTABILITY
BRENDAN O’CONNOR MP
The Morrison Government must remain open and transparent while the Minister for Defence continues her leave due to ill health.
While I fully support the Minister taking health advice regarding her medical condition, her absence is not a reasonable excuse for the government to avoid answering valid and ongoing questions regarding hugely expensive defence contracts.
We expect the acting Defence Minister Marise Payne must be accessible and cooperative with the Senate, especially during the upcoming senate estimates session.
There are serious questions that remain unanswered about a range of defence issues, including the mishandled $90 billion submarine program.
The government can’t use the Minister’s absence an excuse to evade accountability.
While I fully support the Minister taking health advice regarding her medical condition, her absence is not a reasonable excuse for the government to avoid answering valid and ongoing questions regarding hugely expensive defence contracts.
We expect the acting Defence Minister Marise Payne must be accessible and cooperative with the Senate, especially during the upcoming senate estimates session.
There are serious questions that remain unanswered about a range of defence issues, including the mishandled $90 billion submarine program.
The government can’t use the Minister’s absence an excuse to evade accountability.