Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

The inquiry by the Australian Federal Police is made entirely independently of government. I have full and complete confidence in the conduct and the professionalism of the Australian Federal Police. I made a statement last Saturday as to why I requested the secretary of my department to in turn communicate a request to the Australian Federal Police. I did that subsequent to my receiving certain advice from my department as to potential offences under the Criminal Code. On receiving that request from the secretary of my department the Australian Federal Police, through their completely independent decision-making process, made a decision to commence an inquiry. I am aware, as we all are, that the Australian Federal Police issued a statement earlier this week, on Monday. That statement, I might note, was issued after a certain statement was made by the member for North Sydney in this House. The decision by the Australian Federal Police to make that statement was entirely a matter for the Australian Federal Police.

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