Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham. A spokesman for the Prime Minister's office said:

That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Defence (Senator Reynolds) to questions without notice asked today relating to allegations of sexual assault occurring in her office.

Can the minister explain what this support from the Prime Minister's office entailed?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Reynolds has indicated that she acted in accordance with advice from Ministerial and Parliamentary Services in relation to the interpretation of the ministerial code, and it would have been just that—advice into the interpretation of the ministerial code.

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

Senator Chisholm, a supplementary question?

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When and by whom was this support provided? And why was the support to Minister Reynolds's office limited to the alleged rapist?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The advice, I would imagine, was provided in the period leading up to the termination of employment.

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

Senator Chisholm, a final supplementary question?

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We know that in March 2019 the Prime Minister's office provided the minister's office with support. The Prime Minister's fixer was broadly in proximity following the alleged rape and contacted Ms Higgins in the week after Four Corners aired its 'Inside the Canberra bubble' expose. The minister's then chief of staff had previously worked for, and currently works for, the Prime Minister. How can anyone believe the Prime Minister when he says neither he nor his office knew of the alleged rape until this week?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to the statements from the Prime Minister on the matter. I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.