Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. I refer to the evidence of the former Solicitor-General, Dr David Bennett, to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry into consultations prior to the making of directions concerning opinions of the Solicitor-General. Can the Attorney-General confirm that a member of his staff was dispatched to Sydney to sit next to Dr Bennett while he was giving evidence to the Senate committee via telephone?

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

Yes, that is right, Senator, and let me explain why. There were certain privileged documents that may have come into issue and it was necessary, therefore, for Dr Bennett to know when the government proposed to claim privilege in relation to the documents.

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

Senator Watt, a supplementary question?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. Why did the Attorney-General feel it was necessary to have a member of his staff stand over Dr Bennett as he gave evidence to the Senate committee? What was the Attorney-General worried Dr Bennett would say?

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

Surely, Senator Watt, you can do better than that. A member of my staff was present when Dr Bennett gave evidence by teleconference for the reason I just explained: certain privilege documents were in issue and, in those circumstances, it was necessary for Dr Bennett to know if and when the government proposed to claim privilege in relation to any such document.

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

Senator Watt, a final supplementary question?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the Attorney-General assure the Senate that he has not sought to stand over other witnesses to the Senate inquiry, including the deputy secretary of his own department?

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

Senator Watt, I have been a barrister for 33 years and I have never stood over a witness in my life.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! Senator Carr and Senator Macdonald.