Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

Once again we have got the language ‘seeking to cover up the truth’ or ‘giving evidence that they must have known to be wrong’. It seems as though we do not need an inquiry on this because those on the other side have already made all the determinations that are needed. Commissioner Cole does not need to undertake any further investigation because the smart brains of Senator O’Brien and Senator Ray have already determined the state of mind of everybody in this. I have indicated previously that we as a government will cooperate fully with the inquiry. We want to get to the bottom of this. As to when Mr Besley became aware of the factually incomplete evidence that he gave and when the minister found out about that, I have already agreed that I will take that on notice.