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Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Page: 9883

Asylum Seekers

Dr JENSEN (Tangney) (14:36): My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister confirm that in February 2008 the Department of Immigration and Citizenship warned the government in writing that closing Nauru would lead to an increase in people smuggling?

Ms GILLARD (Lalor—Prime Minister) (14:37): I was anticipating a question on the science of climate change but the member has chosen to ask me about something else. Can I say to the member, the issue for the parliament now is whether you believe executive government should have the power to engage in offshore processing—yes or no? That is the question.

Mr Pyne: Mr Speaker, on a point of order: the question was a very specific one about advice received in August 2008.

An honourable member: February.

Mr Pyne: The Prime Minister cannot redefine the question to the one she wants. The question was whether she received advice in February 2008 in regard to the closure of—

The SPEAKER: The Prime Minister knows that she must relate her material in a directly relevant manner to the question.

Ms GILLARD: I am very prepared to speak about advice on the question of Nauru. The advice we have received and made available to the opposition is it will not work. The advice we have received is that the Migration Act needs amending. What we are waiting to hear from the opposition is whether they will join with the government in doing that.

An opposition member: It is 20 to three and—

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Cowper won't last until 20 to three. So he sits there quietly.