Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Gallagher. Minister, last week you told the Senate that you first heard about sexual assault allegations in the week prior to them becoming public on 15 February 2021. Today the Australian newspaper reports that, in late January and early February 2021, Mr Martin Fisk, whose wife, Sandra, is the ACT Labor Party's operations manager, told the ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner that he was working with a young woman who was about to make a sexual assault disclosure that 'would likely attract media attention'. Minister, did Mr Fisk or his wife Sandra ever raise these allegations with you or your office prior to 15 February 2021.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I raise a point of order as to whether that question is in order. These are—

I'll take that interjection. Senator Gallagher has answered question after question on this and has been upfront and transparent with the Senate. I didn't take objection to the nature of the questioning, with reference to President Hogg's ruling, for two days, after which time I drew the President's attention to it. We are now at the point where the opposition, in their desperate attempt to continue this tactic—despite what the DPP has said about Ms Higgins's mental state at the conclusion of her trial—are asking about alleged conversations about which the minister has made no statement. I respectfully submit that the question is not in order.

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

President, in relation to the point of order by Minister Wong, it is clearly in order for, as President Hogg's ruling makes clear—as have subsequent rulings—a minister to be asked about statements they have made as a minister and, in particular, to be asked about statements they have made as a minister in this chamber. This question was premised first and foremost by referencing Senator Gallagher's statement—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Birmingham, please resume your seat. Order on my left and my right! Senator Birmingham, please continue.

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

This question was premised first and foremost by referencing Senator Gallagher's statement to the Senate last week, and, as has been the case with questioning in relation to this, it is seeking to ascertain the veracity of those statements, given the deep concern about the minister having potentially misled the chamber. That is the basis upon which these questions have been asked and where this question is presented: testing the statement of the minister to the Senate in her capacity as a minister.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I've had a contribution from both leaders. I am going to refer back to the rulings that Senator Hogg made and I'm going to invite Minister Gallagher to answer that question in whatever way she thinks is relevant.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have tried over the last week and a bit—and, indeed, longer than that, in relation to the media—to be accountable and helpful to the Senate. I am mindful of the ongoing distress of this political tactic that is being played in this chamber, despite my statement I've made.

Hollie Hughes (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Wow!

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Hollie, you can stop saying 'wow', because I am being absolutely upfront here. But you are now asking me things that if—and I'm happy to answer. The answer to the question is no. I'm happy to answer that because, even though it's not relevant and it's not relevant to my statement, I know what you would do if I didn't answer it. I know exactly what you would do, Senator Henderson and others. If you would like me to go through my telephone book and show you who's in my contacts, other diary appointments and things like that, we can continue to play this game. But in the meantime—and we have to be serious. We cannot stand here and say that we are creating a safe environment for staff, a safe workplace or an environment where women are encouraged to come forward and raise complaints about the way they were treated if—

Government senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Gallagher, please resume your seat. Order on my right! The minister was answering, and those interjections were disorderly. Minister, do you wish to make a further contribution? Thank you. Senator Henderson, a first supplementary?

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, again noting your statement to the Senate of last Tuesday, did anyone other than Ms Higgins and/or Mr Sharaz approach you or your office prior to 15 February 2021 regarding these allegations?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would again remind people, from those who have signed up to the Respect@Workreport and the Set the standard report to those who attend morning teas and breakfasts and continue to say how they support women to come forward and raise their complaints in this workplace and others—all of you who do those things—to reflect on the line of questioning you are pursuing, which is over and above the issues that I responded to in my statement last week and the concerns that have been raised around my comments in estimates. The answer to the question is 'no'. I'm continuing to answer them because I know exactly what will happen if I don't. But I would also say that there are some other questions that need answers in this place. How did text messages get leaked? How did a draft statement of claim for compensation get leaked? How did all of that get leaked?

Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

From there—from over that side.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How did court documents get leaked?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my right!

Opposition senators interjecting—

Order on my left and my right! Senator Henderson, a second supplementary question.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, last week you also told the Senate that you did absolutely nothing with the information provided. Prior to 15 February 2021, did you discuss any of the information with anyone other than Ms Higgins or Mr Sharaz?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer you to the statement I made and the questions that I have answered in the past week.