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

Senator Farrell, none of that is correct. None of what you have asserted is correct. The fact is that the Prime Minister was travelling—indeed, in transit—during part of the time. Senator Fifield has addressed the question. I don't think the characterisation you've placed on what you heard from Senator Fifield earlier in the day or earlier in question time is fair or accurate. What the Prime Minister said at his press conference in Israel, that he heard about the matter at about the same time the journalists heard about it—when the news broke, I think it was on a Tuesday afternoon—I'm sure was accurate.