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 Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education, Senator Cash. In an article in the Australian Financial Review, entitled: 'Michaelia Cash declined to give AFP statement on union raids fresh claims', it was reported:

Cabinet minister Michaelia Cash has become the latest target of the payback culture inside the Liberal Party, after allegations emerged that she declined to provide a witness statement to the Australian Federal Police investigating the leaking of a union raid from within her office.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Macdonald, on a point of order.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I know you're looking at this and are going to rule in the next session, but this is clearly not a statement of fact that is relevant to this question—whatever the question might happen to be when Senator Cameron gets to it. This is simply another muckraking exercise by members of the Labor Party who are determined to get one of the best ministers we have—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Please resume your seat, Senator Macdonald. You are correct that I will be addressing the issue of inferences, imputations and the length of preambles to questions during the break. However, I can't rule whether a question is in order until I hear the complete question. Senators are allowed to have material which they then refer to in a specific question in their preamble, in my view, under the standing orders.

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

A senior Liberal source is quoted as saying the minister was asked to cooperate and she didn't. Why has the minister refused to cooperate with the AFP's investigation?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Small and Family Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Cameron for the question. Senator Cameron, you have asked this question on numerous occasions in several ways. As you'll be aware, the AFP have claimed public interest immunity in relation to the issue. I respect that claim and am not going to comment any further.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Cameron, a supplementary question.

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

Has the minister been interviewed by the Australian Federal Police as part of its investigation?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Small and Family Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And again, Senator Cameron, you've asked this question on numerous occasions, and I have advised that the AFP have claimed public interest on the issue, and I respect that claim.

Scott Ryan (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

Why is the minister the target of internal leaks? Isn't this leak just another example of this divided, unstable and illegitimate government fighting amongst themselves instead of focusing on the needs of Australians?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Small and Family Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I completely reject the premise of Senator Cameron's final question. On this side, we are completely united and in particular when it comes to my portfolio of small and family business, skills and vocational education. Let me tell you what we're united on. We are united on the fact that, under this government, we will continue to lower taxes for the Australian people. We have made a commitment to small and family businesses that we will lower their tax to 25 per cent. We are united in keeping that commitment. We are also united in ensuring that every Australian small and family business knows that a vote for Labor is a vote to put their taxes up. What the Labor Party want to do, colleagues, is put their hands into the pockets of small business and take money to spend on their unsustainable promises. Oh, we are united on this side. We stand for lower taxes. Those on the other side stand for higher taxes.