Senator GEORGE CAMPBELL (2:25 PM) —My question is to Senator Coonan, the Assistant Treasurer. Is the Assistant Treasurer aware that, on 3 October last year, her old friend Mr Joe Hockey appointed the former Liberal senator and big spending diplomat Michael Baume to the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal?

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —Please refer correctly.

Senator GEORGE CAMPBELL —Is the minister aware that Mr Baume's appointment was not one of the appointments requested by the tribunal to get through its backlog, that Mr Baume did not apply through the formal channels and that—as revealed in Senate estimates last month—his name was never on the Treasury shortlist of possible appointments? Were the tribunal or consumer groups consulted on Mr Baume's appointment? Why was Mr Hockey so keen to rush the appointment through, outside the proper procedures?

Senator Abetz —Madam Deputy President, I rise on a point of order—

Honourable senators interjecting—

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —Order! Senator Patterson and Senator Faulkner, would you please have a conversation somewhere else.

Senator Patterson —He wasn't talking.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —He was about to, because you were about to talk to him. I am trying to listen to Senator Abetz and I am not doing very well.

Senator Abetz —Thank you, Madam Deputy President. During Senator Campbell's question, you quite properly interrupted him.

Senator Ian Campbell —It was Senator George Campbell, thank you.

Senator Abetz —During Senator George Campbell's question you quite properly interrupted him about not referring to a minister in the other place by the appropriate title. I would invite you, Madam Deputy President, to require Senator George Campbell to do so.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —There is no point of order.

Senator Abetz —Well, why did you interrupt?

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —I was reminding senators of what is correct. I call Senator Coonan.

Senator COONAN (Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer) —I am astounded at the inference made by Senator Campbell as to the propriety of former Senator Baume being appointed to the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal. I think there are something like 20 people appointed to the complaints tribunal.

Senator Sherry —There are 17.

Senator COONAN —Well, 17. These are part-time appointments—

Senator COONAN —Senator Ray, I can appreciate how you resent the fact that Senator Baume has this appointment.

Opposition senators interjecting—

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —Order! Senator Schacht, Senator Cook, Senator Ray—

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —Senator Schacht, I can still hear you from up here.

Senator Schacht —I thought you would give me a miss for a while.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —No, I am not. Your behaviour is disorderly.

Senator Kemp —Throw him out!

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —Senator Coonan has the call. Senator Kemp, you are not helping, either.

Senator COONAN —It is entirely within the minister's power to have appointed former Senator Baume. There is nothing inappropriate in former Senator Baume's appointment. It reflects very poorly on Senator Campbell's judgment to impugn an appropriate appointment to the tribunal.

Senator GEORGE CAMPBELL — Madam Deputy President, I ask a supplementary question. Is the Assistant Treasurer aware of an article in the Financial Review of 4 March by Mr Baume in which he defends the government over its lies and deception in the `children overboard' affair? Was Mr Baume writing in his capacity as a member of the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal or was he simply returning the government's favour for his appointment?

Senator COONAN (Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer) —The initial question asked by Senator George Campbell appeared to relate to the basis upon which former Senator Baume was appointed to the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal. The supplementary does not appear to relate at all to the original question. Insofar as the supplementary could be said to have related to the original question, Mr Baume is quite entitled to write whatever articles he chooses in his personal capacity.