Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
2:56 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. Can the minister confirm that the member for Dunkley, Mr Chris Crewther, personally owns shares in Gretals Australia Pty Ltd and has publicly declared this on the register of interests? Can the minister confirm that Gretals Australia Pty Ltd had fewer than 25 shareholders when the member for Dunkley purchased those shares?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council
2:57 pm
My advice is that the member for Dunkley is validly elected to sit in the House of Representatives. If the Labor Party has a different view, they know what action they can take.
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Is the minister aware of section 44(v) of the Australian Constitution, which states that a person is disqualified from sitting as a senator or as a member of the House of Representatives if that person 'has any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any agreement with the Public Service of the Commonwealth otherwise than as a member and in common with the other members of an incorporated company consisting of more than twenty-five persons'? (Time expired)
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Minister, if the member for Dunkley has declared on the public interest register that he is in ownership of the shares of a company with fewer than 25 shareholders, is it the case that the government is now in a situation where the member is in breach of section 44, and can you confirm which Commonwealth government department has provided money to Gretals Australia in regard to any grants?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council
We now have bush lawyer Senator Carr seeking to adjudicate on the eligibility of individual members and senators. If he has such a view, there are processes available to the Labor Party. In relation to the specific question about grants, I will take that on notice and provide any information that may be relevant.