Senate debates Questions without Notice
Attorney-General, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
2:12 pm
My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. I refer to Mr Thawley's request at 5.30 pm on Monday, 1 June that the misleading Monis evidence be corrected. If Mr Thawley had no doubt the evidence needed to be corrected, why did the Attorney-General express so-called doubts about the earlier evidence and take a full parliamentary week to correct the record?
Ian Macdonald Queensland, Liberal Party
Because the secretary of his department looked into it.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
Well, that's a worry. So the agency's the patsy again, is it?
Stephen Parry President
On my left! You have asked your question, Senator Collins.
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
2:13 pm
I immediately corrected the record when I was satisfied—when it had been confirmed to me, as a result of the inquiry that I commissioned, that an error had been made.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I refer to the Attorney-General's statement that the foreign minister was advised shortly before question time on Thursday, 4 June about the incorrect evidence provided by his department. I also refer to the foreign minister's statement that she was advised at 2.43 pm that day, well after question time had begun. Which minister got it right, and who should now correct the record again?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
2:14 pm
I believe that the foreign minister was herself advised during the course of question time, which is what she said. Her office was advised shortly before question time.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
This is a point of order on relevance, Mr President. The question in relation to the Attorney-General's statement concerned a statement to the parliament he made that the foreign minister, not her office, was advised before question time. If he wants to clarify and correct the record now, he should do so.
Stephen Parry President
Thank you, Senator Wong. I believe the minister has concluded his answer. He has. There is no point of order. Senator Collins, do you have a final supplementary question?
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
2:15 pm
Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question.
Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—
You cannot bully senators in here, Senator Macdonald.
Stephen Parry President
Order on both sides! Senator Collins you have the call.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
Thank you, Mr President.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Stephen Parry President
Order on both sides! We will start the clock again, Senator Collins.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
My supplementary question is: did the Attorney-General's office or the Prime Minister's office provide any indication to the foreign minister or her office—to be clear for Senator Brandis—that she had misled the parliament before the Attorney-General made his belated call on Thursday, 4 June?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
I do not believe so, Senator, but I will check.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—