White Ribbon Day

Question put forward to the Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) regarding White Ribbon Day.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:42): Does the minister condone the Prime Minister's description of the federal member for Sturt as a 'mincing poodle'?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:42): I think there is a world of difference between calling our Prime Minister 'a real dog' and the context in which those comments were made. However, having said that in terms of looking at the context in which comments were made, I certainly do not condone any derogatory, sexist remarks made by anybody. I think it is an absolute disgrace that the Hon. Michelle Lensink, instead of getting to her feet and condemning her colleague for the disgraceful comments, she stands up in a way that is almost supporting—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —exactly—almost supporting. I have always—

The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink: You are very selective.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —I am not selective—said in this place (and I stand by these comments) that I do not support any derogatory, sexist comments made by any person, particularly members of parliament, given our leadership responsibilities. I certainly challenge the Hon. Michelle Lensink to get to her feet and condemn the disgraceful comments made by Michael Pengilly, the member for Finniss, from another place.