Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her question. As the Attorney-General announced yesterday, he is exercising the same rights as any other Australian when they believe they have been defamed to initiate legal proceedings against certain organisations and individuals. To ensure appropriate handling whilst the Attorney-General initiates such proceedings, the government has sought legal advice in relation to any issues that may arise as a result of the Attorney-General filing such proceedings.

As an interim measure until that advice is received, the Attorney-General's office will have no engagement with the Federal Court, which I understand would be expected to hear the proceedings, or involvement with matters involving the Federal Court or the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The Attorney-General's Department has similarly been told not to engage with the Attorney-General or the Attorney-General's office in respect of matters involving the Federal Court or the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.