Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

I am glad that the opposition is happy. With respect to the report that I tabled today, I wish to make a few comments. The first is that the report entirely exonerates the former Minister for Ageing, Senator Santoro. The second is that the government has absolutely nothing to hide in relation to this matter, so we have tabled the report for the elucidation of the House and the public. We will be happy to answer any questions that the opposition chooses to ask about it. We have absolutely no reason to hide any of the facts in relation to this matter.

As I said last week in the House, the government has no reason to believe that anything untoward occurred with respect to the allocation of beds in the Queensland south coast region in the last ACAR round. No evidence has been adduced of any wrongdoing at any point by the former minister. I would like to quote the salient finding in the conclusion section on page 2 of the report:

On the question of alleged influence by Senator Santoro, I have found no evidence of any attempt to exert influence either directly or indirectly over any officer of the department in any way materially connected with the relevant decision.

I also note for the benefit of the House that they will find that annexure A of the report has not been tabled and is not to be publicly released. It is protected information under the act and is therefore not being released. I am happy to explain that to the shadow minister privately if she wishes to have such a discussion. The report has been tabled. I end the matter by saying that, as far as we are concerned, we can draw a line under this controversy and get on with governing for the good of older Australians and not reach back into the mud bucket like the Labor Party has on this matter over the last week.

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