Kristina Keneally NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
2:51 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. In an article in this morning's TheAustralian entitled 'It's Brian Houston, and the Prime Minister does have a problem', Niki Savva said:
Taxpayers and voters have every right to know who was there—or not—and why, and media has a duty to ask. It is not gossip, and it is everybody's business, not just the Prime Minister's.
Why has the Prime Minister repeatedly refused to deny reports that he sought to have Brian Houston invited to the White House?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council
2:52 pm
I note that Senator Keneally has read The Australian this morning. It is good to know that the Murdoch press is now getting favour with Senator Keneally. Let me just say that I have got nothing to add to the Prime Minister's statement on the topic.
Kristina Keneally NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
In question time on Monday the Prime Minister again refused to say whether or not he sought to have Brian Houston invited to the White House. Did the Prime Minister or his office seek to have Brian Houston invited to the White House—yes or no?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council
2:53 pm
I refer Senator Keneally to my primary answer.
Kristina Keneally NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Let's try it this way: why did the Prime Minister seek to have Brian Houston invited to the White House?
Mathias Cormann WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council
I don't have anything to add to my previous two answers.