My question is to the Prime Minister. Is Senator Abetz a fit and proper person to represent the government on the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, given the Speaker of the Tasmanian parliament quoted him as saying:

As for that Higgins girl, anybody who is so disgustingly drunk, who would sleep with anybody, could have slept with one of our spies and put the security of our nation at risk.

Do you believe Speaker Hickey?

I note the statement that has been issued by Senator Abetz:

Ms Hickey's defamatory allegations under parliamentary privilege are categorically denied.

Allegations of rape are serious matters and have always been treated as such by me. Sexual assault is an issue on which I've been consistently outspoken including domestic violence.

He goes on to make a number of statements. I'd refer the member to the senator's statement, as it's very clear that he completely denies those statements.