Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Brandis, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. I note the minister's refusal to answer my question about the Special Minister of State yesterday, so I will ask it again. On 19 November last year the Prime Minister said that he had 'confidence in Mr Brough', yet he was stood aside as Special Minister of State on 29 December. What changed between November and December?

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my right.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Collins, if you ask me the same question today as you asked me yesterday, you must expect that the answer today will be the same as the answer was yesterday. I refer to that answer.

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask a supplementary question. I am not surprised that there is no answer again today. But it does make the point, Senator Brandis: what are you running from? Did the Prime Minister ask the Special Minister of State, Mr Brough, to stand aside while he continued to assist the Australian Federal Police with their inquiries into the Ashby affair, or did he give up his office voluntarily?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, this is the first time I can remember an opposition running out of questions during question time. I have never seen that before. Senator Collins, the answer to the question you asked, which is the same question you asked yesterday, is the same answer as yesterday.

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask a further supplementary question. I note that the minister has refused to answer whether Mr Brough stood aside voluntarily. I refer to the Prime Minister's statement that Mr Brough has 'done the right thing to stand aside while investigations are ongoing'. But, given that the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Mr Pyne, and the Assistant Minister for Innovation, Mr Roy, are also assisting the AFP in their inquiries, why has the Prime Minister not asked them to stand aside? (Time expired)

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the honourable senator yesterday.