Senate debates Questions without Notice
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
Tim Ayres NSW, Australian Labor Party
2:59 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. When did the Prime Minister first become aware that Minister Taylor had an association with Eastern Australian Irrigation, a company registered in the Cayman Islands?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council
I'll have to take that question on notice.
Tim Ayres NSW, Australian Labor Party
I refer to Minister Taylor's statements in the House of Representatives that he has disclosed interests in accordance with the rules. Has Minister Taylor disclosed to the Prime Minister any income or other benefit derived from consultancy fees to Eastern Australia Agriculture, Eastern Australia Infrastructure or any of their other associated entities?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council
3:00 pm
The Prime Minister has full confidence in Minister Taylor and the fact that he has declared all of his interests consistent with the rules. I will take on notice the other parts of the question.
Tim Ayres NSW, Australian Labor Party
We'll try to get somewhere with this line of questioning. Is the Prime Minister aware of whether Minister Taylor or any of his associated entities or indirect interests received any payments, income or benefit from the $80 million water buyback from Eastern Australia Agriculture?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council
3:01 pm
I will take that question on notice. I don't accept the premise of the question, because I'm obviously not necessarily going to accept everything just as fact because the Labor Party puts it here in the public domain in this way. In the context of the question that has been asked, I will see what I can appropriately provide on notice. Mr President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.