Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and well-known climate sceptic, Senator Conroy. I refer the minister to his statement to the Senate on Tuesday regarding, as he described it, the compromised Australia Network tender process. He said:

On 27 October the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet wrote to the Australian Federal Police requesting an investigation into the leaks.

At whose request did the secretary make this referral? Did he act on his own initiative? Was the request made in writing?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you for that question. I am looking forward to you solving financial illiteracy on that other side, Senator Sinodinos. I did see, following my statement, a report in a newspaper which believed that there was some sort of scandal and that the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet had intervened in the process. It did cause me some concern. Let me be very clear about this: I requested the police investigation direct to the departmental secretary of the Foreign Affairs and Trade. He then had a discussion, I believe, with Dr Watt, and, ultimately, following that discussion, Dr Watt referred the matter to the police. Let me be very clear: after considering the legal advice I requested it.

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! It is no-one else's question.

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why was this referral made by the secretary of the Prime Minister's department? Why wasn't it made by the secretary of your department or the secretary of the funding department—that is, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade?

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Minister, I will give you the call when it is appropriate. You are entitled to be heard in silence.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am not sure why the secretary of my department would have any role in it, given he had no formal role in that process. As to the discussion between Mr Richardson and Dr Watt, I am happy to take that on notice and see if there is any information available. I would not want to speculate as to why that was. I was overseas at the time when, from recollection, that decision was taken. If that is not right, I will be happy to correct that.

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Was the Prime Minister consulted about the referral of the matter to the AFP and the cancellation of the tender? Which, if any, other ministers were consulted on these matters? What role did the Prime Minister's office play in any of this?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I sought the Federal Police investigation. I advised the Prime Minister's office, and I think the Deputy Prime Minister's office, of the serious legal issue that had come up following the advice.