My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Mr Rhys Muldoon, who was sacked as a Labor staffer yesterday for a series of vile social media posts using racist language and sexualised language against conservative women, is a close friend of the Prime Minister, Mr Albanese. He even attended Mr Albanese's wedding at the Lodge last year. Mr Muldoon was handed a taxpayer funded job with Labor senator Richard Dowling. Senator Dowling was very enthusiastic about this arrangement, saying:

He understands politics instinctively, writes brilliantly, thinks differently to me and isn't afraid to say it. That's exactly why I wanted to work with him.

Minister, can you confirm whether Prime Minister Albanese had any involvement in Mr Muldoon obtaining his job with Senator Dowling?

First, may I acknowledge and warmly welcome the First Nations students participating in the WEX program who are here today in the gallery—particularly those from South Australia! Welcome to all of you, but particularly those from SA!

Senator Ruston, can I say, first in relation to the comments you've referenced, that they are completely unacceptable. I say that today, and I understand that the Prime Minister has made that clear. In relation to Mr Muldoon's employment, Senator Dowling has taken immediate action, as is appropriate.

Senator Ruston, first supplementary.

The Albanese government appointed Mr Muldoon as an Australia Day Ambassador in 2024, despite the series of vile tweets that were already available for people to see at that time. Did the Prime Minister personally advocate for or personally approve Mr Muldoon's position as an Australia Day Ambassador?

My advice is that in fact Mr Muldoon was an Australia Day Ambassador since 2014, when obviously you were in government. It is clearly not appropriate for him to be an ambassador. He was not an ambassador this year, and I understand that the assistant minister has taken action today, so he will not be again.

Senator Ruston, second supplementary.

Given Mr Muldoon's close personal connection to the Prime Minister, does the government seriously expect Australians to believe that the Prime Minister was unaware of Mr Muldoon's vile views, which have been published online over many years?

():  What I would say to you, Senator, is that those comments are not acceptable, and the Prime Minister has made that clear.