Highlights from Hansard (or 'why am I earning less than these people')

Senator ABETZ—I do not need to know the matters, but do you take it upon yourself to proactively encourage the minister and the government to consider certain matters, or do you
see your role as just responding to requests from the minister?

Senator Carr—Proactively.

Senator ABETZ—I know the previous chief scientist saw that as part of his role. As I understand it, the position is as an independent Chief Scientist. Is that right?

Prof. Sackett—That is absolutely correct.

Senator ABETZ—That is why I think it was not helpful for the minister to intervene in trying to answer for you and I would like to hear from the independent Chief Scientist.

Senator Carr—You are an absolute prat.

Prof. Sackett—I am pleased to answer the question.

Senator ABETZ—Chair, if you want standards in this committee then the minister has to abide by them.

CHAIR—I do not know whether that it is unparliamentary as such.

Senator Carr—You are getting on your high horse. You asked the question whether the Chief Scientist acts proactively and I can assure the committee that she does. She has a standing invitation, which she exercises, to actually contact me and other ministers, which she does regularly.

Senator ABETZ—The independent Chief Scientist should be given the courtesy of being able to answer for herself without a bully boy minister trying to intervene.

CHAIR—Senator Abetz!

Senator ABETZ—Chair, if you allow that sort of description of me then you have got to allow it back the other way. I should withdraw that comment about the minister, and I do, and I would invite the minister to do the same.

*And so it continues. Boring I know. I had to read this stuff for two hours today so though I would spread the pain. I had flashbacks to 'teaching' in London with me being the CHAIR (although those kids probably wouldn't have used the word 'proactively')
** Or the word prat. I can think of a few others they probably would have substituted....