George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson-Young, I did try to explain to you last month when the High Court handed down its decision in which the offshore detention regime was challenged unsuccessfully that a majority of the judges of the High Court concluded as a matter of fact and as a matter of law that the detention arrangements in Nauru are not conducted by the Australian government. That is not a matter—

Senator Di Natale interjecting—

Senator Di Natale, you may scoff at the decision of the High Court but we on this side of the chamber respect the decisions of the High Court. It is a fact, Senator Di Natale that a majority of the justices—four of the seven—decided as a matter of fact and as a matter of law that the Australian government does not conduct the offshore arrangements in Nauru. We are responsible for 34—that is the case load within the Australian system.