Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
2:48 pm
My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. In relation to the Attorney-General's appointment of Mr Tavoularis to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, we now know that the Attorney-General has known Mr Tavoularis for many years. Mr Tavoularis previously acted for the Attorney-General's son in criminal proceedings. Mr Tavoularis has made a donation to the Liberal Party of Queensland, and the Attorney-General personally approached Mr Tavoularis for appointment to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Does the Attorney-General stand by his statement, 'There is no conflict of interest whatsoever'?
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
I have a supplementary question. I refer to media reports that indicate that Mr Tavoularis acted for the Attorney-General's son, who was being prosecuted for wilful damage to property. Did the Attorney-General have any role in arranging for Mr Tavoularis to represent his son, and was Mr Tavoularis paid full commercial rates for the legal work?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
2:50 pm
I will not dignify that disgusting question with an answer.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Senators:
Honourable senators interjecting—
Stephen Parry President
Order! And order on my right—how can I deal with interjections when I cannot hear them because of the interjections close to me? Senator Wong, do you have a point of order?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Yes, I do. They should withdraw calling Senator Cameron a grub. It was done repeatedly. Mr President, in question time you do have to protect senators to some extent.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Stephen Parry President
Order! If any senator used those words I would expect that senator to withdraw. I did not personally hear them.
Barry O'Sullivan Queensland, National Party
I withdraw that you are a grub.
Stephen Parry President
Senator O'Sullivan, could I ask you to withdraw, and do not repeat the phrase.
Ian Macdonald Queensland, Liberal Party
If 'grub' is unparliamentary, I did use that against Senator Cameron, and I withdraw.
Stephen Parry President
Order! I remind senators that it is not so much the word that is used; it is also the context in which it is used.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Order! Senator McGrath.
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister
I withdraw the use of 'grub'.
Fiona Nash NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
I also withdraw the use of 'grub'.
Nigel Scullion NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs
I withdraw, Mr President.
Stephen Parry President
Thank you, Senator Hume. Senator Cameron, a final supplementary question.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Order on both sides!
Ian Macdonald Queensland, Liberal Party
What a disgusting excuse for a human being!
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
2:52 pm
I think that might be a record number of withdrawals.
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
Of those the Attorney-General has appointed to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, how many has he known for 'many years' and how many have made donations to the Liberal National Party of Queensland?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
2:53 pm
Senator Cameron, there are many people who I approach to be judges or members of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal whom I know personally. There are many because, frankly, there are very few prominent members of the legal profession—certainly, in my own home city of Brisbane—whom I do not know personally. It is hardly a disqualification for a person who is a suitable candidate for judicial office that they happen to know the Attorney-General of the day.
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
I raise a point of order.
Stephen Parry President
Attorney-General, have you concluded your answer?
Stephen Parry President
Do you still wish to raise a point of order, Senator Cameron?
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
It was on relevance. There were two aspects to the question. One was that the Attorney-General address the issue of many years' knowledge—
Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—
but he did not go to the issue of donations to the Liberal Party.
Stephen Parry President
Senator Cameron, there is no point of order. The Attorney-General did address the question and he had concluded. Senator Bilyk, did you have a point of order?
Catryna Bilyk Tasmania, Australian Labor Party
Mr President, I overheard Senator Macdonald calling Senator Cameron 'a disgusting excuse for a human being', and it is the second time I have heard in the past few minutes. I would like him to withdraw.
Stephen Parry President
Senator Macdonald, if you did make an unparliamentary comment, I would appreciate it if you would withdraw.
Ian Macdonald Queensland, Liberal Party
Well, I certainly did use those words, Mr President, and I stand by them. But if you say they are unparliamentary, I will withdraw.
Stephen Parry President
Thank you, Senator Macdonald. Senator O'Sullivan.
Barry O'Sullivan Queensland, National Party
Mr President, I used them too, and I will withdraw.