Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. In its report into search warrants tabled yesterday in the Senate the Privileges Committee found that warrants executed during the election campaign against the opposition, who had been exposing cost blowouts, delays and mismanagement of the NBN under the Turnbull government, amounted to 'improper interference'. What was Prime Minister Turnbull so desperate to hide that the NBN Co improperly interfered with the parliament?

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

That is an extraordinary allegation to make, Senator Carr, and I think you ought to reflect very carefully on whether you want your name to be associated with such an extraordinary allegation against the integrity of two national institutions: NBN Co, which is an independent statutory corporation, and the Australian Federal Police. That is a disgraceful thing for you to allege. I know that the Australian Federal Police issued a statement—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I have a point of order on direct relevance. At no point in the question did Senator Carr refer to the Australian Federal Police.

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

Thank you, Senator Wong. Attorney-General, you have the call.

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

The innuendo was absolutely manifest. Senator Carr, any suggestion of any irregularity and impropriety against either NBN Co or the Australian Federal Police by you, as you make, is a disgrace. It is an independent statutory corporation and an independent policing agency. The AFP issued this statement yesterday, which I will read onto the record:

The Australian Federal Police is aware of the Senate Privileges Committee's 164th report tabled on 28 March 2017. The AFP will now consider the report's findings. It would not be appropriate to provide any further comment at this time.

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

Senator Carr, a supplementary question.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, will the Prime Minister ensure that the information discovered as a result of the improper interference was not and will not be used to target staff of NBN Co?

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

Senator Carr, you should be aware after all the long years you have spent as a member of parliament that the Prime Minister has absolutely no role whatsoever in the issuance of search warrants—none whatsoever.

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

Senator Carr, a final supplementary question.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, NBN Co has already announced its intention to continue its witch-hunt, despite the findings of the Privileges Committee. What action will the government take to ensure that NBN Co respects the rules and privileges of this parliament?

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

NBN Co is an independent statutory agency.