Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I have a question for the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Brandis. Can the Attorney inform the Senate which event occurred first: the Director-General of Security in ASIO instructing the major parties not to take donations from billionaires with close connections to the Chinese Communist Party, or a member of the Prime Minister's team approaching Mr Chau Chak Wing for donations to be used in the 2016 election?

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

Senator Ludlam, both of the propositions you have put to me are wrong.

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

A supplementary question, Senator Ludlam.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is just vintage Brandis. Does the Attorney-General have any advice that wealthy donors with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party, such as Mr Huang Xiangmo and Mr Chau Chak Wing, are effectively agents of Beijing? If so, can he advise the chamber if any politicians have been compromised?

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

Senator Ludlam, from time to time the Prime Minister and I do receive advice from ASIO, and we will not be sharing it with you.

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

Thank you, Attorney-General. Senator Ludlam, a final supplementary question.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If you were leader, you wouldn't allow this question.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Interesting when the security risk is you. Has the government sought or received fresh advice from ASIO on Ms Helen Liu, who ASIO assessed in 2009?

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

As I said in answer to your first supplementary question, Senator Ludlam: from time to time we do receive advice from ASIO, and we will not be sharing it with you.