Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
2:46 pm
My question is also to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. On 4 May 2016, the Attorney-General tabled an explanatory statement regarding his directions to the Solicitor-General. The statement said:
As the Direction relates to the process for referring a question of law to the Solicitor-General, the Attorney-General has consulted the Solicitor-General.
Does the Attorney-General stand by this assurance?
Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
2:47 pm
When and how was the Solicitor-General consulted?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
During the course of a meeting in my office on 30 November 2015.
Stephen Conroy Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Is the Attorney-General's assurance that he consulted the Solicitor-General as reliable as the statement that he had consulted with Mick Gooda on the establishment of the royal commission into the Northern Territory juvenile detention system—a statement Mr Gooda is reported to have refuted?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
I actually do not have the faintest idea what you are talking about, Senator Conroy.