Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Cash, the Minister representing the Attorney-General. On 23 May 2018, the minister admitted to Senate estimates that taxpayers are funding her legal representation in proceedings brought against her regarding the AWU raids scandal. Can the minister advise the Senate whether the Morrison government has agreed to indemnify current or former employees of her office involved in current legal proceedings or cover in any other way associated legal costs?

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

I don't actually have a brief in relation to that, Senator Watt, but I would assume all usual processes in relation to staff or former staff would actually apply.

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

Senator Watt, a supplementary question.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order across the chamber! Senator Wong, Senator Watt is on his feet. Senator Macdonald.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask the minister again: Who is paying the legal costs of her former advisor Mr De Garis? If she'd care to do so, she might want to elaborate on what the usual arrangements are in relation to staff.

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

Senator Watt, I have got some instructions now from the Attorney-General's folder. It actually states: 'Questions should be referred to the Department of Finance.' So the Department of Finance must be responsible for this matter.

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Remember the whiteboard!

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

Senator Watt, a final supplementary question.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's clear that no whiteboard is big enough for this minister. I ask again: who is paying the costs of the minister's former adviser, Mr De Garis? Given we know Australian taxpayers are footing the bill to defend Senator Cash, how much will taxpayers pay to defend her against actions arising from the leaking of confidential police information from her office to the media?

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

Senator Watt, I need to refer you to my previous answer.