House debates Questions without Notice
Special Minister of State
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General
2:43 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to clause 7.1 of the Prime Minister's statement of ministerial standards and I refer to the Special Minister of State's answer to the question, 'Did you ask James Ashby to procure copies of Peter Slipper's diary for you?' He answered, 'Yes, I did.' How does that reconcile with your statement of ministerial standards?
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I thank the honourable member for his question. The facts and circumstances of this matter, all of which occurred prior to the last election and have been well known for considerable time, have remain unchanged.
Ms Butler interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Griffith will leave under 94(a).
Mr Watts interjecting—
The member for Gellibrand is warned.
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The facts and circumstances relating to this matter have been very well known for some years and were well known prior to the last election—
Mr Husic interjecting —
Tony Smith Speaker
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
when Mr Brough stood for parliament to represent his constituency. There are no new facts, matters or circumstances that have come to hand, and so there is no basis for the shadow Attorney-General's withering torrent of cross-examination. If there are new developments, obviously, they will be considered.
Tony Smith Speaker
Before the member for Lyons begins, I should tell those on my right who are asking constituency questions: I am trying to give everyone a go, so, by all means, jump. But, if you had a question, I am trying to pick those that have not had a question.