Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Hansard source

My questions go to the statements of the Prime Minister just last week when he said, last Thursday, that Liberal Party functions were not held at Kirribilli House or at the Lodge. I refer to revelations on the weekend that, indeed, the Prime Minister hosted a function for the federal executive of the Young Liberal Movement of Australia on 18 October last year. Why did the taxpayer pick up the bill for this function? How does it differ from the 1 June fundraising event at Kirribilli where $5,100—now $5,400—was repaid by the Liberal Party? What was the cost to taxpayers of this event? How many Young Liberals were in attendance at this function? When did the Prime Minister seek advice on who should pay for the function? Was advice sought prior to the 18 October function, or was it sought last week, perhaps even on Saturday, as a result of inquiries which were made? How many other Liberal Party functions have been held at the Lodge and Kirribilli House for which taxpayers have paid the bill? Could the parliamentary secretary table the details of each of these functions, what they cost the taxpayers, who was in attendance and any advice which suggested that it was appropriate that taxpayers pay the bill?

I also refer to the Prime Minister’s A guide on key elements of ministerial responsibility of December 1998, which states:

Ministers are provided with facilities at public expense in order that public business may be conducted effectively. Their use of these facilities should be in accordance with this principle. It should not be wasteful or extravagant. As a general rule, official facilities should be used for official purposes.

What was the official purpose of the Young Liberals function? What was the official purpose of the four Liberal federal council fundraising events that were held at Kirribilli House and the Lodge? A further question is in respect of legal advice with regard to the clear breach of the Commonwealth Electoral Act that has occurred as a result of these fundraisers being held at Kirribilli and the Lodge: has the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet had any role in considering the legal advice in respect of the use of Kirribilli and the Lodge? Also, has the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet had any contact with the Australian Electoral Commission over this matter and, if so, what has that contact consisted of?

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