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

My question is to the Prime Minister. Just days before the caretaker period, the Attorney-General announced 37 new appointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. During Senate estimates last night, it was revealed that none of these positions were advertised, there was no merit-based selection process or departmental advice, none of the candidates for these positions were recommended by the department and there was no consideration of any conflicts of interest arising from their political affiliation. Given that these 37 jobs have a salary of up to $370,000 each year, does the Prime Minister consider this process acceptable?

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

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

The member for Hunter I have cautioned a number of times and the member for Lindsay will not interject.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The appointment of Australians to offices of this kind is of course a very important responsibility of government. The government takes that responsibility very seriously. The Attorney-General is an office holder of considerable discernment and I have no doubt that all the persons appointed were excellently qualified for the position that they have been selected for.