House debates Questions without Notice

Assistant Minister for Health: Staffing

Thursday, 13 February 2014 House of Representatives

Mr Tony Burke

Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance

2:48 pm

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Minister for Employment's statement at Senate estimates:

The Prime Minister avails himself of all forms of advice in relation to staff appointments. At the end of the day, they are the Prime Minister's decision.

Why did the Prime Minister appoint Senator Nash's chief of staff when he had a shareholding in a food industry lobbying firm?

Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister

I thank the member for his question. This matter has been raised on a number of occasions in the Senate, and I would refer the member to the answers that have been given in the Senate.