House debates Questions without Notice
Special Minister of State
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General
2:36 pm
My question is to the Special Minister of State. On Thursday last week during question time the minister said:
I refer you to the findings of the full bench of the Federal Court, which dealt with all of the evidence put before it and found entirely that I acted appropriately.
I have read that judgement from beginning to end, including paragraphs 122 to 124—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Government Members:
Government members interjecting—
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General
Can the minister name the paragraph which finds that he acted appropriately? If there is not one, has not the minister misled the parliament?
Honourable members interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Dawson will cease interjecting. Members on my right will contain themselves. I need to hear the question and I was only just able to hear it. I remind those on my left—
Michael Danby Melbourne Ports, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition
Can he name the paragraph?
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Melbourne Ports is warned. I call the minister.
Mal Brough Fisher, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State
2:37 pm
Just to help the honourable member, this is what the judgement of the Full Bench of the Federal Court says:
We are also of the opinion that there was no basis for the primary judge to conclude that Brough was part of any combination with anyone … to the commencement of these proceedings with the predominant purpose of damaging Slipper in the way alleged or at all.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
It doesn't say that—
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Grayndler!
Honourable members interjecting—
I made it clear in earlier answers that I am going to deal with interjections on questions where the opposition are seeking to follow up on previous answers. I need to hear the answer. If anyone interjects in the minister's answer I am going to eject them.
Mal Brough Fisher, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State
I conclude by continuing with the findings of the Full Bench of the Federal Court:
Despite Brough's hesitation at seeing Ashby he did so and referred him to Russell QC. There is absolutely nothing untoward about those matters.