Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. While Senator Brandis’s forensic legal question is obviously of great interest, it is based on the premise that there was a leak. Both the US government, the US ambassador and the Prime Minister have denied that the press report is correct. They have made it clear that the reported comment was never made and is inaccurate and that the matter, as far as they are concerned, is closed. Therefore, as the premise of the senator’s question is inaccurate, I cannot help him with the line of questioning he wishes to pursue. Clearly, if the report is inaccurate, there is no question about staff members’ activities or the AFP.