David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister Wong. The federal government and specifically your department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was made aware of serious evidence of corrupt payments made to senior Nauru officials, including the current and former presidents of Nauru by AUSTRAC. How on earth did your government then sign a $2½ billion secret deal with a government that you knew to be corrupt?

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

Thank you, Senator Shoebridge. First, I'd make the point that actually the MOU, I think, was negotiated by the Department of Home Affairs. What I would say is that we have zero tolerance for corruption, but unlike you, Senator, I will not comment on the contents or nature of classified AUSTRAC reporting.

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

Senator Shoebridge, first supplementary?

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Zero tolerance, huh? Is it because you know the current Nauruan government is so corrupt that your government has sought to hide every detail of this $2½ billion deal from the Australian public—hiding the MOU, hiding even the speech the Nauruan President put on his Facebook page? Is your response to corruption, as we see again today, to hide it from the public?

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

As I said, you've addressed those questions to me, as foreign minister. I don't believe the MOU discussion is in the portfolio of the foreign minister.

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

Senator Shoebridge, second supplementary?

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, Minister, that says it all, doesn't it. Reporting in the Sydney Morning Herald today found that your government has been indirectly funding the criminal bikie gang the Finks through dodgy contractors like MA Services, both in Nauru and even in the NACC here—guarding the NACC, apparently. Why hasn't your government and why haven't you taken action to stop these contracts, or is giving Australian public money to bikie gangs now Labor policy?

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

I refer to my very first answer. Australian expectations about—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! I'm sorry, Senator Wong; please resume your seat. There's a three-way conversation going on across chamber when the minister is answering the question. Minister Wong, please continue.

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

I refer you to my first answer, Senator, and I would also say to you that Australian government expectations about the use of Australian government funds are clear.

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

Senator Shoebridge?

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister is not being relevant to my question here, which is about bikie gang payments, which were not covered by AUSTRAC but indeed by the SMH reporting. The minister knows that and is trying to avoid the question.

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

Senator Shoebridge, three times I called you! I'm answering a question. The minister is being relevant to the question. Minister, did you want to make a further contribution?

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

Yes, I did. I again would say Australian government expectations about the appropriate use of Australian government funding are something we apply across government.

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

Order! Senator Shoebridge, we have moved on.

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

The disrespect that is being shown by Senator Shoebridge to you, President, is disgraceful. He should withdraw that.

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

Senator Shoebridge, you've been invited by Minister Wong to withdraw those comments.

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw them, President.