Philip Ruddock (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a question for the Attorney-General. Is the Attorney-General concerned that the media has provided a running commentary on an Australian Federal Police inquiry since Monday? Has the Attorney sought an explanation from the Australian Federal Police as to how this has occurred? Will he assure the parliament that there has been no improper release of information from the Australian Federal Police to any minister, member or staff member of the government? Finally, I ask him: what is the role of the presumption of innocence in relation to Mr Grech?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. On the question coming from this member, it is clear that the standing order which states that questions cannot be ironic should be applied in this case.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! There is no point of order.

Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to 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.

Philip Ruddock (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I do not think the matters raised in my question were addressed, particularly the matter in relation to the presumption of innocence.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is no point of order.