Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I could refer Senator Gallagher to the very comprehensive statement I made to the Senate earlier, which directly deals with these matters. What I will say is this: the first time I became aware of any arrangements in relation to then Senator Day's electorate office was as a result of the letter that he sent to me by email on 29 December 2015, a few hours after I had been appointed as the Acting Special Minister of State. Obviously, as a result of that letter I made it my business to find out what the situation was and I was advised of the arrangements, which are as I have laid out in my very comprehensive statement.

Let me make very clear that former Senator Ronaldson, the then Special Minister of State, appropriately acted on the advice provided to him by the Department of Finance by imposing certain conditions on then Senator Day. Let me make the final point that Senator Day is not Robinson Crusoe when it comes to expressing concern about departmental preference for the location of his electorate office. (Time expired)