Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

I am sure the Prime Minister appointed Senator Sinodinos to the ministry because of his competence and personal integrity and the knowledge that he provides to the place. Let us be absolutely clear: the only person that actually called for Senator Sinodinos to step aside was the man that provided a personal character reference to Tony Mokbel, one Kelvin Thomson. So let us just be clear here. Many other Labor members, such as Andrew Leigh and others, have been quite clear as to how this matter should be handled, but Senator Sinodinos, always the team player, always putting others and other interests first, has decided to step aside. We regret that decision but we also respect that decision.