House debates Questions without Notice
Australian Human Rights Commission
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:11 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Was the Prime Minister's office aware that the Attorney-General was asking the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission to resign and offering her another job in order to persuade her to resign?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I do not presume to be across what may or may not have been said in evidence in Senate estimates today.
Ms Claydon interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Newcastle is not in her seat and will desist!
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I do not claim to be across what may or may not have been canvassed between the President of the Human Rights Commission and the Attorney or indeed any other member of this government. All I know is that this government has lost confidence in the President of the Human Rights Commission. I believe the Australian people have lost confidence in the President of the Human Rights Commission, because any person who seriously recommends that a convicted murderer should be paid $300,000 in compensation for being in immigration detention has simply—
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I—