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

Senator Di Natale, it's probably a good idea, before you read out prepared questions, to listen to the answers that come earlier on in question time, because, as I indicated to you, far from sidestepping the issue, the government this week will be introducing legislation to deal with that very matter—legislation that has been in development for a long while, because it is a complex area and we have to get it right.

You are quite wrong, Senator Di Natale, with respect, to think that this is only about political donations. That is an important matter. It was credibly alleged this morning by Latika Bourke in the Fairfax papers that Mr Shorten went cap in hand to Mr Huang Xiangmo to beg for and solicit donations for the Australian Labor Party. It is also alleged he had received a warning from the security authorities, something that Mr Shorten is yet to explain. (Time expired)