Senate debates Questions without Notice
Australian Human Rights Commission
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
2:08 pm
My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. Can the Attorney-General confirm that he asked the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department to convey the offer of a specific role to the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission? Can he confirm that this offer of a specific role was conveyed to the president in Sydney on 3 February this year?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
These matters were addressed by me and by the secretary of my department, Mr Moraitis, in Senate estimates last Tuesday. The account by Mr Moraitis and my account were full, thorough and accurate, and I have nothing to add to what was said on that occasion, because there is nothing more to say.
But, Senator Collins, you should reflect on your disgraceful attack upon Mr Chris Moraitis during the debate in this chamber earlier on today. Senator Collins, you have form for this. I remember, Senator Collins, that many years ago, when you and I sat on the children overboard inquiry, you engaged in a similar disgraceful attack.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Senators:
Honourable senators interjecting—
Stephen Parry President
Pause the clock. Order, Senator Brandis! We will not continue until there is a bit more order.
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
You engaged in a similarly disgraceful attack on another distinguished public servant—
Honourable senators interjecting—
Jane Halton, now the Secretary of the Department of Finance.
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
It seems, Senator Collins, you cannot help yourself. It is all very well—
Stephen Parry President
Senator Brandis, there has been a—
Honourable senators interjecting—
Order! Senator Moore, you have a point of order.
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
Mr President, I should not have to do this, but it is for the Attorney-General to direct his comments through you and not directly across the chamber at Senator Collins.
Stephen Parry President
Thank you, Senator Moore. I remind all senators of the need to address their remarks to the chair.
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
Quite right, Senator Moore—quite right. Mr President, it is one thing for the opposition to attack political opponents. That is fair game. But what Senator Collins descended to this morning in the debate in this chamber was an attack on the integrity—
Opposition senators interjecting—
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
Gillian Triggs is not a public servant. Gillian Triggs is not a public servant, and her integrity has never been attacked by anyone.
Stephen Parry President
Pause the clock. Senator Brandis—
Honourable senators interjecting—
Order, Senator Conroy! A point of order, Senator Moore?
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
Again, Mr President, through you rather than across the chamber—this time to an interjection.
Stephen Parry President
Well, he did not directly talk not through the chair or to the chair that time. Senator Brandis, you have the call.
Michael Ronaldson Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
You got two out of two, Claire!
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
One and a half, Senator Ronaldson—one and a half. I do like to make eye contact, but nevertheless, Senator Parry, I will focus myself entirely on you. It is one thing, Mr President, for there to be spirited criticism and political attacks on a political opponent, as I suffered this morning. That is fine. That is the way this process works. But senior public servants doing their job ought not to be the subject of the kind of despicable character assassination we saw on Mr Moraitis and, in years gone by, Ms Halton by Senator Collins.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
2:11 pm
Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. It was your mission, Attorney—your mission.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
Thank you, Mr President. Why, I ask the Attorney, was a specific role offered to the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
2:12 pm
I do not have my transcript here. I did before, and if I had it here I would read to you precisely what I said last Tuesday when I addressed that issue specifically, to which I have nothing to add.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I refer to the evidence of the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission that a request for her resignation was 'very clearly linked' to the offer of another role. Why did the Attorney-General arrange for an inducement to be offered to procure the resignation of the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission?
Stephen Parry President
Just before I call the Attorney-General, Senator Collins, you are really impugning the Attorney-General with the way you framed that question. You were suggesting that the Attorney-General has induced someone. You cannot do that, Senator Collins, so can I ask that you rephrase that question, and then I will allow the question.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
I will rephrase the question: why did the Attorney-General arrange for what can be regarded as an inducement to be offered to procure the resignation of the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission? I note it has been regarded as such other than by me or Senator Wong; many others have.
Government senators interjecting—
Stephen Parry President
Order on my right! Senator Collins, you have removed the direct implication. I will call the Attorney-General.
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
2:13 pm
Thank you, Mr President. The evidence before the Senate estimates committee was unequivocal: Mr Moraitis gave uncontradicted evidence that no inducement was offered, I gave uncontradicted evidence that no inducement was authorised, and Professor Triggs did not suggest that an inducement had been offered to her.