Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. Shortly before question time it was revealed that detectives from the New South Wales Police Force State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad have launched a special task force, Strike Force Garrad, to investigate the behaviour of Minister Angus Taylor and to determine if he committed any criminal offences in relation to the altered document he used to attack the City of Sydney. When did the Prime Minister first become aware of this investigation and what actions has the Prime Minister taken since becoming aware of it to ensure the integrity of his government?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Firstly, I am not aware when the Prime Minister first became aware, so I will take that question on notice. In relation to the second part of the question I believe the Prime Minister has answered a question in relation to this in the House of Representatives, where he has indicated he will seek to obtain relevant information from New South Wales police.

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

Senator Wong, a supplementary question?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister advise whether or not Minister Taylor has been interviewed by the New South Wales police as part of Strike Force Garrad's investigation into his behaviour? Will the Prime Minister ensure that the minister undertakes to cooperate fully with the police investigation?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Firstly, I am not aware in relation to the question in the first part of the question. In relation to the second part of the question, of course all ministers will always cooperate with relevant inquiries as appropriate.

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

Senator Wong, a final supplementary question?

Senator Cash interjecting—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think Senator Cash wishes to say something. She obviously has some expertise on this topic.

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

Senator Wong is on her feet.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister's own Statement of Ministerial Standards makes it the personal responsibility of the Prime Minister to decide whether or not to stand aside a minister. Given the criminal investigation launched by the New South Wales police, when will Minister Taylor be stood down? Does the Prime Minister retain his confidence in Minister Taylor?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let me just say right up front: Mr Taylor is an outstanding minister. The reason the Labor Party attacks him is that he is very effective in bringing down the price of electricity as well as bringing down emissions in a way that is economically responsible. The second point I would make is that I will never take the words of the Labor Party to describe what is actually happening. What the Prime Minister has indicated appropriately to the House of Representatives is that he will make the appropriate inquiries and, of course, make the appropriate judgements if and as required.