House debates Questions without Notice
Australian Human Rights Commission
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:05 pm
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, representing the Attorney-General. In light of the foreign minister's answer, how does that answer sit with the following exchange from estimates yesterday:
Senator WONG: So a specific role was mentioned by the Attorney in his conversation with you?
Mr Moraitis, Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department said:
Yes, and we conveyed that to Professor Triggs.
Ms Julie Bishop Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Yesterday in estimates the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department said that no inducement was offered to Gillian Triggs and that she was not asked to resign. I have spoken to the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department this morning and he confirmed to me that Professor Triggs was not asked to resign, that she was not offered an inducement to resign, and I would back the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department over anyone on that side. If that is what the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department said, then I believe the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. In light of the strong endorsement by the foreign minister of the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
I seek to table the secretary of the department's words.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Is leave granted? It is already on the public record.
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
It is indeed, Madam Speaker.