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

I seek leave to make a brief statement in relation to Senator Sinodinos.

Leave granted.

This morning, during the debate on the reference of Senator Gallagher to the High Court, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate made a number of remarks about our colleague Senator Arthur Sinodinos. I should say, particularly in view of Senator Sinodinos's health and the fact that he is on leave from the Senate to deal with the health issue that has afflicted him, that I appreciate the fact that those comments were made by the Leader of the Opposition in a very temperate manner. Nevertheless, they were made. In view of those comments, I wish to advise the Senate that Senator Sinodinos has received advice from the relevant minister in the Greek government, the Minister of Interior, that he is not and has never been a citizen of Greece. I table that letter, which is written in the Greek language, along with a translation of that letter provided by the Greek embassy. These documents confirm that Senator Sinodinos is not and has never been a citizen of Greece.