Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is, again, to the Special Minister of State. I refer to the minister's answers in question time last week and today. On 29 March 2012 James Ashby sent a text message to the minister which included pages of the Speaker's official diary. The minister sent a text back which said, 'Can that be emailed James it is hard to read Mal.brough2@bigpond.com' The initial copy he received may have been blurry, but isn't it crystal clear the minister should resign?

Mr Ewen Jones interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Herbert will cease interjecting.

Mal Brough (Fisher, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let me make it very clear for the honourable member that these matters have all been canvassed by the Federal Court, and the full bench of the Federal Court actually—

Ms Plibersek interjecting—

Ms King interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Ballarat!

Mal Brough (Fisher, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I say to the deputy leader—actually addressed this issue—

Mr Dreyfus interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Isaacs!

Mal Brough (Fisher, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and I invite you to go and have a look at exactly what they had to say. I further—

Ms Kate Ellis interjecting—

Mr Danby interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Adelaide and the member for Melbourne Ports will cease interjecting!

Mr Bowen interjecting—

The member for McMahon is now warned!

Mal Brough (Fisher, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would further confirm for the member who continually asks these questions that I at no time passed any diaries to any journalists. Can I be any clearer than that?

Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to table the text exchanges between Mr Brough and Mr Ashby.

Leave not granted.