Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. Newlands Civil Construction, a company in which Senator O'Sullivan has an interest, was awarded a $2.5 million contract under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements. When did the minister first become aware that Senator O'Sullivan stood to benefit from this contract?

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

As I said to you when you pursued this line of questioning with me last week, I have no awareness that Senator O'Sullivan has ever done anything untoward whatsoever in relation to the matter. I first became aware of the issue when it was raised. But the issue is not as you describe it, Senator Chisholm, with the implication against Senator O'Sullivan. It is not apparent to me today, and it has never been apparent to me in the past, that Senator O'Sullivan has anything to answer for.

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

Senator Chisholm, a supplementary question?

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Newlands Civil Construction, a company in which Senator O'Sullivan has an interest, was awarded a $2.5 million contract as part of the $1.6 billion Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project. When did the minister first become aware that Senator O'Sullivan stood to benefit from this contract?

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

Once again, I'm not aware of that fact. I'm not aware of that fact and I've never been aware of that fact. You've made a number of factual assertions. I'm not aware that any of those particular factual assertions are true.

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

Senator Chisholm, a final supplementary question?

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given Senator O'Sullivan has an interest in $6 billion in Commonwealth contracts, isn't it clear Minister Chester is right to say Senator O'Sullivan has 'an issue that he needs to explain'?

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

Senator Chisholm, I haven't seen Mr Chester's remarks.