Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

The reporting will be subject to the usual coverage that is given to complaints of a criminal nature. There will also be privacy aspects. One would not necessarily be expecting senators to ask for the names of those involved. If it were a court matter that would be public, but privacy principles would have to be observed. I do not see that there would be any problem with releasing the number of reports or the outcomes.

We have had similar questions in relation to investigations carried out by the Australian Federal Police. I would see it being answered in much the same way. If it were subject to an ongoing investigation, there would be limitations. If the matter were before the courts, obviously there would be limitations as to what information could be provided. It would be sub judice. But I would not see any trouble in saying what offences were alleged or the number of them. I would see privacy problems if you wanted to know details about the person who was a victim, such as their name. I do not think that anybody would be asking for that. You can see the parameters that I am trying to set here. They are the normal parameters applied to any investigation carried out by law enforcement. The information would be there for Senator Allison, subject to those limitations which apply across the board to any investigation or complaint.