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

My question is to the Minister for Communications, Senator Fifield. I refer to the minister's statement to the Senate yesterday, confirming he had 'varied and casual' conversations with Senator Parry about Senator Parry's citizenship doubts. How many conversations did the minister have with Senator Parry about Senator Parry's citizenship doubts? Were any of these conversations conducted by SMS, WhatsApp, email or other text communication? If so, will he provide these records to the Senate?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The conversations were few in number and they were all verbal.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, a supplementary question?

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

I refer to media reports that Senator Parry was told to say nothing until after the High Court citizenship decision. Did the minister suggest at any point or in any way that Senator Parry should withhold information about his citizenship doubts until after the High Court made its decision?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Suggestions that I directed Senator Parry are wrong, and I was not aware that Senator Parry was a dual citizen until he advised all colleagues of this by way of a memo.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, a final supplementary question?

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

Well, I repeat this question: did the minister suggest at any point or in any way that Senator Parry should withhold information about his citizenship doubts until after the High Court made its decision?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I've answered the senator. I did not direct Senator Parry.