Tony Smith (Casey, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Or the Australian Electoral Commission said that they had obtained legal advice and the AEC had determined its position. When the member for Grayndler says that in his view there is clear advice I think he is referring  to the advice obtained either by himself or by the opposition. That is my understanding. I know that those opposite have sought advice. I saw advice littered through the papers on Saturday from one person whose name I recognise: Anthony Lang. Unless he is someone with the same name as a very well known and longstanding member of the Labor Party, then it is the same Tony Lang from Melbourne. The point I am making is that I am sure those opposite will get legal advice, but the Australian Electoral Commission—an independent agency—has determined its position on this matter.

With respect to your specific questions about any contact the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet may have had, I am not aware of any. Obviously if I have anything to add to that, I will let you know. With respect to your other request to table details of who, when, where, how and at what time, it will not surprise you that I do not have anything to table. I am not aware of any of the details of the matters you raise or request.

As to your generic questions about the news stories in the weekend papers about members of the Young Liberal Movement having dinner at the Lodge, I simply point out to you that, naturally, when a Prime Minister occupies the Lodge—as Mr Keating, Mr Hawke and all of those before them did—they are entitled to have people visit and attend. If the member for Grayndler was being at all level headed and sensible he would recognise that point. As to his very specific questions, I am not aware of any of the detail. To the extent that I am able to provide him with detailed answers, I will do so in the normal way. I will treat them as questions on notice and any replies that are forthcoming will be provided in the normal way.

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