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

My question is to the Special Minister of State. I refer to the minister's answers and statements in the House. What discussions did the minister have with the Assistant Minister for Innovation about the Ashby affair?

Government Member:

A government member interjecting—

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

I will not take interjections of advice from on my right. The question referred to the minister's previous answers. The minister can address the first part of the question. The second part of the question—going to the Assistant Minister for Innovation—I do not believe has been addressed in any of the minister's replies.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

The member for Grayndler will not interject with advice: just be silent for a minute.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The answers that the minister has given so far have included reference to the 60 Minutes program and have included reference to all the evidence before the Federal Court.

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

I will allow the minister to answer.

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

Obviously I have conversations all the time with colleagues. But if the member for Isaacs is asking the specific question: did I discuss any time, at or around these issues—I do not know how much more clear I can be—with the member for Longman, the answer is no.