Gary Nairn Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State
3:34 pm
Mr Speaker, I seek leave to make a personal explanation.
David Hawker Speaker
Does the minister claim to have been misrepresented?
Gary Nairn Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State
Yes, I have.
Gary Nairn Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State
A number of opposition members have claimed that I or my office interfered with the investigative processes of the AEC. This is completely and utterly false. In various electronic media organisations it has been claimed that I or my office interfered with the investigative processes of the AEC. That is completely and utterly false.
Bob McMullan Fraser, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations
Mr McMullan interjecting
Gary Nairn Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State
In an article by Sam Maiden in the Australian it is claimed that I or my office ordered the AEC to shut up. That is completely and utterly false. I quote from an AEC press release issued today that the Prime Minister quoted from—
Nicola Roxon Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health
Did you call them?
Gary Nairn Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State
It says:
The AEC takes its integrity and independence very seriously and I want to make it quite clear that no attempt was made by the Government or anybody else to influence the AEC in its response to this issue.
Nicola Roxon Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health
Did you call them?
Gary Nairn Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State
That was the Electoral Commissioner, Mr Ian Campbell. Also:
Contrary to some media reports, the AEC Director of Funding and Disclosure, Mr Kevin Bodel was not asked by the AEC or the Government to “shut up” regarding these matters.