Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer the Deputy Prime Minister to reports in the Fairfax press today that two freedom of information requests have been refused for copies of all correspondence between her office and Slater and Gordon with regard to allegations about the then defence minister and Ms Helen Liu. Why have these requests been refused?

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for her question. I refer her to the fact that I gave a personal explanation about this matter earlier today. In that personal explanation, I indicated that a solicitor from Slater and Gordon contacted my former chief of staff. The only document forwarded to my office was an email, which only contained a photograph. No words were contained in the email. No specific allegations were made. Consequently, in the light of that, general inquiries were made but there were no specific allegations.

On the matters in today’s newspapers in the Fairfax press, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition would also be aware that the member for Hunter has provided a personal explanation denying those matters and indicating that they could be the subject of legal proceedings. To assist the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, I indicate that the material canvassed in today’s Fairfax articles, the allegations about the member for Hunter, were news to me. The first time I was aware of them was when I read the newspapers this morning.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. In the interests of disclosure, I invite the minister to table the document.

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

There is no point of order.