Deborah O'Neill NSW, Australian Labor Party
2:07 pm
Mr President, congratulations on your new role. My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Brandis. On Tuesday, 31 October, the minister said that the first time he became aware former Senator Stephen Parry may be a dual citizen was 'when Senator Parry contacted me yesterday morning'. Can the minister guarantee to the Senate that the first he or his office became aware of the concerns about former Senator Parry's eligibility was on Monday, 30 October?
Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State
Senator O'Neill, a supplementary question?
Deborah O'Neill NSW, Australian Labor Party
Were any members of the Senate government leadership team made aware of concerns about former Senator Parry's eligibility before Monday, 30 October?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
The government's leadership team consists of the leaders of the respective coalition parties: the leader and deputy leader of the Liberal Party in the Senate and the leader and deputy leader of the Nationals. I have no reason to believe that any of those six individuals were aware of that matter.
Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State
Senator O'Neill, a further supplementary question?
Deborah O'Neill NSW, Australian Labor Party
Senator Parry has indicated that he raised the issue with senior members of the government in mid-August and Senator Fifield has admitted he was aware of Senator Parry's breach before his resignation. Which other senior members of the government were aware of concerns about former Senator Parry's eligibility?
George Brandis Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General
2:09 pm
I don't believe former Senator Parry actually has said that. Nevertheless, I know Senator Fifield's name has been mentioned in this discussion. Senator Fifield responded to those issues in the contribution he made in the Senate earlier in the day, and that is the position.