Senate debates

Monday, 2 December 2019

Questions without Notice

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction

2:26 pm

Photo of Helen PolleyHelen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Senator Birmingham. The Prime Minister and the minister have both repeatedly promised this parliament that they would cooperate fully with the New South Wales police investigation into the minister's use of a fraudulent document. Has the minister directed his department to fully cooperate with the New South Wales police investigation? Has his department provided all relevant data, data logs and metadata it holds in relation to the internet use of the minister and his office to the New South Wales police?

Photo of Simon BirminghamSimon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her question. The government's commitment to cooperate in relation to the investigation around those documents is firm, and it extends to departmental agencies, as it does to government ministers and their staff. In terms of any requests for information that may have been provided, I'm not aware that any have been received from the New South Wales police. If any have, I will update the Senate.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Senator Polley, a supplementary question?

2:27 pm

Photo of Helen PolleyHelen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I refer to the reports that Strike Force Garrad, established by the New South Wales police Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad, is travelling to Canberra this week to interview Minister Taylor and his staff. Has the minister or anyone in his office spoken to the New South Wales police?

Photo of Simon BirminghamSimon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | | Hansard source

Once again, I'm not aware of any such discussions taking place. If there are, I will update the Senate.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Senator Polley, a final supplementary question?

2:28 pm

Photo of Helen PolleyHelen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Has the minister been asked by the New South Wales police to submit to an interview? If so, when will that interview take place?

Photo of Simon BirminghamSimon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | | Hansard source

If Senator Polley is listening, I refer her to the answer to the first supplementary. It's the same answer.