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

My question is to the Minister representing the Attorney-General, Senator Ludwig. I refer the minister to allegations concerning threats and demands made by the member for Robertson at Iguanas nightclub on Friday, 6 June. Has the Attorney-General considered whether any offence against Commonwealth law may have been committed by the member for Robertson? Has the Attorney-General referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions with a view to considering whether grounds exist for a prosecution to be brought, in particular under section 139.2 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code?

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable senator for his question. As the honourable senator would be aware, this is a matter that is currently being investigated by the New South Wales authorities, and as such it would be inappropriate to comment on it.

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

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Given that section 139.2 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code makes it an offence punishable by 12 years imprisonment for a member of either house of the Commonwealth parliament to make an unwarranted demand with menaces directly or indirectly related to any influence the member of parliament may have with the intention of causing a loss to a person and given what is already known of this incident, as acknowledged by both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister, does the minister not consider it is now appropriate for a reference to the Director of Public Prosecutions to be made?

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As the honourable senator would know, these matters are currently seized by the New South Wales authorities and as such, as I have said, it would be inappropriate to comment on it any further. If there is anything that I can add to that, I will seek the Attorney-General’s advice and provide it subsequently.