George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Di Natale, you speak about integrity. I don't deny, by the way, that Mr Ludlam and Ms Waters did act with integrity. I suspect that they probably acted a little prematurely in resigning, but the government, you'll recall, Senator Di Natale, did support your reference, under section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act, as the appropriate course. I don't criticise your conduct in this, and I don't criticise the conduct of Senator Roberts either, but the point you make, Senator Di Natale, reminds us that it behoves every member of this chamber and of the other place to behave with integrity if they have reason to be concerned that there may be an issue about their citizenship. They ought to come forward, as your colleagues did, and as my colleague did. And we wonder why it is that nobody from the Australian Labor Party, about some of whose members serious doubts have been expressed, has shown the same integrity. (Time expired)