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 May last year the minister publicly stated that she had issued instructions for a subpoena relating to court proceedings brought by the Australian Workers' Union to be set aside. Given the minister has now agreed to appear before the court later this week on this matter, will she cooperate with the court by giving a full and frank account of her involvement in the leaking of details of the Federal Police raid on AWU offices to the media?

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 are aware that the matter is before the court, so it would be inappropriate to comment, but of course I will absolutely cooperate with the court.

Can I just make one small point in relation to what the proceedings themselves are actually about. The proceedings themselves are between the AWU and the Registered Organisations Commission. It is in relation to the proper authorisation of documents and donations made by the AWU to Mr Shorten's own election campaign and to GetUp!. Despite what those on the other side say, that is actually what these proceedings are about.

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

Senator Cameron, a supplementary question.

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

I refer to reports that her former media adviser, Mr De Garis, has today told the court that he was informed in advance of the AWU raids by the minister's then chief of staff, Mr Davies. Is this correct? When did the minister first become aware of this conversation between Mr De Garis and Mr Davies?

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

Again, because the matter is before the court, Senator Cameron, it would be completely inappropriate for me to comment.

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

Did the minister have any conversation with her then chief of staff, Mr Davies, on or before 23 October 2017 with regard to foreknowledge of Federal Police raids on the AWU? Did she at any point in these discussions discuss tipping off the media about these raids?

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

Again, Senator Cameron, I have answered copious questions at estimates in relation to this matter. But, as the matter is before the court—and Senator Cameron well knows this—it would be inappropriate to make further comment. But I will again remind Senator Cameron what the case is about. It is about the proper authorisations of donations made by the AWU to Bill Shorten's own political campaign and $100,000 to GetUp! Don't actually forget what the actual court case is about, despite everything you say.