Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Water
2:51 pm
My question is to the Minister for Communications, Senator Fifield. I refer to the minister's answer in question time yesterday, who, when asked if he suggested Senator Parry should withhold information about citizenship doubts, replied that he 'did not direct Senator Parry'. If he did not direct Senator Parry in his conversations about citizenship, what did he do?
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate
I didn't advise, suggest or direct what Senator Pratt is suggesting. What I did was encourage him to do what he was seeking to do, and that was to check his own family's records.
Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State
A supplementary question, Senator Pratt?
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Water
2:52 pm
I refer again to the minister's answer, that he 'was not aware that Senator Parry was a dual citizen until he advised all colleagues'. Did Senator Parry, in his 'varied and casual' private conversations with Minister Fifield, give any indication that he may be a dual citizen or cast doubt on his status?
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate
As I've indicated, Senator Parry was endeavouring to check his own family records. Obviously, that was in order to satisfy himself about his own personal circumstances. As I've said before in this place, it is the personal and individual responsibility of each senator to check their personal circumstances.
Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State
Senator Pratt, a final supplementary question?
Louise Pratt WA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Water
2:53 pm
Has the minister been counselled by Mr Turnbull or the Attorney-General for keeping his conversations with Senator Parry regarding his dual citizenship private?
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate
As I have indicated before, I did not speak to others about our conversations—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Why not?
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate
Because they were with a colleague on a matter of their personal responsibility about which they had not reached a concluded view.