Senate debates Questions without Notice
Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
2:51 pm
My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. Can the Attorney-General confirm that the rate for Mr Stoljar, the counsel assisting the royal commission, is in excess of standard rates of counsel and required the Attorney-General's personal sign-off?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
2:52 pm
I cannot confirm that, but I will check.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the Attorney-General confirm that the total cost of engaging Mr Stoljar from March 2014 to December 2015 was over $3.3 million and can the minister confirm that Mr Stoljar's colleague at 8 Selborne Chambers, Mr Michael Elliot, has received well over $1.4 million to date as counsel assisting the royal commission?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
No, Senator Collins, I am not aware of the aggregate fees earned by Mr Stoljar and Mr Elliot but I will take the matter on notice.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Can the Attorney-General confirm that both Mr Stoljar and Mr Elliot share chambers with Commissioner Heydon in Sydney? What involvement did Commissioner Heydon have in selecting Mr Stoljar and Mr Elliot to assist in the royal commission and where is the balance in that? And given that the government has revealed the exorbitant cost of engaging counsel to the royal commission at least in part in estimates, will the Attorney-General now reveal the total cost to Australian taxpayers of this rort?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
2:53 pm
Senator Collins, I am sorry to disappoint you but I am not familiar with the professional address of Mr Heydon, Mr Stoljar or Mr Elliot. If it be the case the Mr Stoljar and Mr Elliot share chambers with Mr Heydon, that would not be the slightest bit unusual. It is very common.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
You don't know much, do you, Attorney?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
If you would not mind listening, Senator Collins, it is very common when royal commissioners are engaged that they appoint counsel assisting from among barristers with whom they share chambers. In relation to your question—
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
Who puts out invitations for the Liberal fundraisers?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
Senator Collins, are you interested in the answer? In relation to your question about what involvement Mr Heydon had in the selection of Mr Stoljar, Mr Heydon did have a role in the selection of Mr Stoljar and Mr Elliot. If you knew anything about the way royal commissions are conducted, you would know the royal commissioner always nominates counsel assisting.