House debates Questions without Notice
Special Minister of State
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General
2:29 pm
I refer to the minister's previous answer and to the minister's responsibility for the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act. Can the minister explain why it is appropriate or acceptable to offer inducements to an employee under the MoPS Act to provide unauthorised access to a member of parliament's official diary?
Mal Brough Fisher, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State
2:30 pm
As much as you may wish to verbal, shadow Attorney-General, let me make it very clear that I never said any such thing. As much as you may try to avoid the unfortunate fact for you—
Mr Mitchell interjecting—
Mal Brough Fisher, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State
you, the shadow Attorney-General—the full bench of the Federal Court examined all of the matters that you were wishing to prosecute here today and found in full. I would refer you to those comments, as unfortunate as they are, in you prosecuting your arguments.
Ms Burke interjecting—
Mr Bowen interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Chisholm will cease interjecting. I remind the member for McMahon that I have asked him to cease interjecting.