House debates Questions without Notice

Member for Dobell

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 House of Representatives

Christopher Pyne

Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training

2:35 pm

My question is to the Prime Minister. When the Prime Minister expressed unreserved confidence in the member for Dobell yesterday, was she aware that he had failed to add a $90,000 gift from the New South Wales Labor Party to his register of member's interests?

Julia Gillard

Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister

2:36 pm

In answer to the member's question can I say that I am advised by the member for Dobell that media reporting on the matter he raises is incorrect, and his statement of interests was updated in the interest of full disclosure.

Christopher Pyne

Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training

On a supplementary question, Mr Speaker: is the Prime Minister aware that the member for Dobell has also failed to register his role as the registered public officer of the Coastal Voice community group? Given the member for Dobell's failure until yesterday to disclose his gift from the ALP and his still undisclosed role as head of the controversial Coastal Voice community group, does the Prime Minister still have confidence in the member for Dobell?

Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins Speaker

Order! The House will come to order. The Prime Minister has the call.

Julia Gillard

Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister

2:37 pm

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I have complete confidence in the member for Dobell. Of course, there is an obligation on all members of the parliament to abide by the rules in relation to declarations of interest. As the member who asked the question would well know, there is more than one member in this parliament that has declared things late. Of course, people should abide by the rules.