Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
2:44 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. The Attorney-General has made clear that tackling foreign interference is a priority of the Turnbull government. Given the government's stance on foreign interference, when did the federal Liberal Party last accept a foreign donation?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance
I can confirm that that is a priority piece of legislation for the Turnbull government. I don't have responsibilities for the federal Liberal Party organisation.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
2:45 pm
If the government is so concerned with foreign interference, when will the Prime Minister follow Bill Shorten's lead and personally commit the Liberal Party to immediately cease accepting foreign donations?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance
Firstly, I think that Senator Farrell is confusing two different pieces of legislation—but I'll just set that to one side. I would expect the Liberal Party organisation and, indeed, all party organisations that are involved in the political process and in election campaigns to comply with all relevant laws as they apply from time to time.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
When commenting on multibillion-dollar donations by Sally Zou, Senator Birmingham said:
I don't care who wants to give money to the Liberal Party.
Does the Prime Minister agree with Senator Birmingham that foreign political donations to the Liberal Party are not worth caring about?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance
2:46 pm
I stand by my previous answer. Our expectation is for the Liberal Party organisation and, indeed, all party organisations to comply with the laws of the land as they apply from time to time. I suspect that Senator Farrell is somehow trying to do a compare and contrast with the circumstances of former Senator Dastyari.
Senator Jacinta Collins interjecting—
But, of course, former Senator Dastyari didn't receive campaign donations; he received a personal gift for his own personal use and then started to promote a policy position which was at variance with the official position.
Jacinta Collins Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary
Like some of your people have!
Scott Ryan President
Order! Senator Cormann, please resume your seat; Senator Farrell is on his feet. Senator Collins, I have called you to order twice in this answer. Senator Farrell.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Mr President, I have a point of order. The question is not about former Senator Dastyari; it's about Senator Birmingham's comments and the Prime Minister's response to them.
Scott Ryan President
I'm listening very carefully to the minister's answer. He has 17 seconds remaining.
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance
Thank you very much, Mr President. I don't monitor the activity of individual party organisations on a day-to-day basis.
Senator Jacinta Collins interjecting—
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance
I would expect all of them to comply with the laws of the land as they apply from time to time, and that is of course 100 per cent consistent with the comments that Senator Farrell has attributed to Senator Birmingham. (Time expired)