Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Assistant Minister for Health. I refer to the minister's answer to my question yesterday in which she claimed Mondelez, the parent company of Kraft and Cadbury, was not a client of her chief of staff's company, Australian Public Affairs, at any time since 19 September 2013. I note the minister's letter to me today tried to dismiss extracts from both the Commonwealth and state register of lobbyists which show the minister's answer was incorrect. Will the minister now do the right thing and correct the record?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer I gave to the Senate yesterday was in my capacity as the Assistant Minister for Health, relating to the federal health portfolio. That is entirely consistent with relevant Senate practice. As APA had publicly stated, they were no longer representing Mondelez to myself, to Minister Dutton or indeed to my health department. If I could refer the Senate to the statement from Ms Tracey Cain—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! I need to hear the minister's answer.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer the Senate to this statement by Ms Tracey Cain, Managing Director of Australian Public Affairs, on 12 February 2014:

Since last September, Australian Public Affairs has not made representations to either Health Minister, their offices, or the Health Department; and has made no representations to any other Minister of the Commonwealth in relation to the Health portfolio.

Whilst this commitment applies to all clients, I particularly note that it has applied to Mondelez International, the Australian Beverages Council and Proctor & Gamble.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask a supplementary question. Will the minister now comply with the order for the production of documents, which requires her to table the letter setting out her chief of staff's undertakings, which she relies on as evidence of compliance with her obligations under the statement of ministerial standards?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As many senators would be well aware, I have informed the Senate and the Senate estimates committee on many occasions regarding the undertakings put in place to ensure there is no conflict of interest relating to my former chief of staff. The correspondence the senator refers to contains information relating to the personal affairs of an individual staff member. It was provided to me on a confidential basis and it is not practice of either past or present governments to divulge personal information about individual staff.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! If you wish to debate it, it is after three o'clock.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In response to the request, in accordance with Senate practice, I provided my letter of response to the President earlier today.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I seek leave to move a motion censuring the Assistant Minister for Health.

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

Is leave granted? Leave is not granted.