Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

It is outrageous that Senator Ronaldson seeks to smear my reputation and the reputation of the department, as well as that of the members of the Independent Communications Committee. It is a blatant attempt by those opposite to cover up their own gross incompetence on this. If the senators would like a lesson on how the Senate works and on how Senate estimates work, the opposition gets to ask the questions and we get to answer them. It is not a show-and-tell. But, if you want to, we can turn it into a show-and-tell. The proper process is as simple as that.

I do not want to deal with the Liberal’s smear campaign. Let me deal with the facts of this matter. The facts in this case are simple and well documented. I granted the exemption on 24 May 2010, I wrote to the Treasurer setting out my decision and I tabled a statement of reasons on 28 May. At this time the Senate estimates process was not complete. Questions could still be put on notice. There were estimates the following week and, like all of these things, I agreed to hold another estimates so that you could ask the questions again, which you then—