Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) | Hansard source

No, this government does not have any intention or desire to assist with a cover-up of the claim that Senator McKim is making in his usual overreaching style. I have, and the government has, full confidence in Dennis Richardson as one of the most esteemed public servants this country has produced to deliver a fully independent and thorough review. That's why we have appointed him to do so. In conducting the review, Mr Richardson will have regard to any previous and ongoing investigations, including by the AFP, AUSTRAC and the National Anti-Corruption Commission. He will seek information as appropriate and necessary from any Commonwealth agencies to support this inquiry. I can confirm that the minister has sought the full collaboration of her department in this regard. So we have full confidence that this is the appropriate way to handle what are very serious allegations and we have every intention of getting to the bottom of them.