Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Employment, Senator Cash. Reports last night revealed the government will pay legal costs for Nigel Hadgkiss, despite him admitting to have recklessly breached the Fair Work Act. What amount of taxpayers' money does the government anticipate spending to defend Mr Hadgkiss?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Cameron, for the question. Legal assistance is provided in accordance with the Commonwealth's Legal Services Directions, as is the standard practice when Commonwealth agency heads are subject to legal proceedings that are brought against them in relation to actions in their capacity as an agency head.

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

Senator Wong, a point of order?

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

My point of order goes to direct relevance. The question was: 'What amount?'—not the question of the decision, which is what her answer related to. The question is: what amount of taxpayers' money does the government anticipate spending to defend Mr Hadgkiss? I would have thought the minister would want to tell the Australian people how much money they're going to be spending on him.

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

Senator Cash, have you concluded your answer?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

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

Senator Cameron, a supplementary question.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Who agreed to pay the cost? The minister, the Prime Minister or someone else, and how much will this cost the public?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, I don't have with me the amount of costs yet because I don't believe they have yet been determined given that the matter is actually still before the courts. But, again, I reiterate: as is common practice regardless of which political party is in office, legal assistance is provided in accordance with the Commonwealth's Legal Services Directions, as is the standard practice when Commonwealth agency heads are subject to legal proceedings that are brought against them in relation to their actions in their capacity as an agency head.

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

Senator Cameron, a final supplementary question.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Will the minister rule out indemnifying Mr Hadgkiss against any penalty that may be ordered by the court? And I'll try again: how much will taxpayers have to fork out for this reckless law-breaker?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In relation to the latter part of Senator Cameron's question, I have already indicated my answer to that. In relation to the first part, on indemnity, Mr Hadgkiss has not sought an indemnity and the government will not be providing one.