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 concerning his 60 Minutes interview with Liz Hayes. On 20 July 2012 on ABC Radio the minister was asked about the same issue, 'You're comfortable receiving material from someone else's diary?' and the minister responded, 'Absolutely.' Is it consistent with the standards of this government to receive material from the diary of the Speaker without authority?

Mr Bowen interjecting—

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

I remind the member for McMahon that he has been warned.

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

As the member for Isaacs knows, and as is a matter of fact in the court, there was a text sent to me purporting to be diary notes, which subsequently have been seen to be such. I will confirm for the House—again—that I have never received any other form of documentation that was sent to me and that was sent to me unsolicited, as has been shown in the documents. I would say to the member for Isaacs that you have no intention of allowing the appropriate authorities to make their inquiries and to come to their conclusions. You, the member for Isaacs, feel that it is your duty to do it here today for your own political purposes, not because you have any interest in the judicial process.

Mr Mitchell interjecting—

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

The member for McEwen!

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

You have no interest, member for Isaacs, in due process.

Mr Bowen interjecting—

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

The member for McMahon!

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

If you did, you would acknowledge that those statements of fact have not been in dispute at all, despite your best efforts over the last two sitting weeks of this period.