Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence. I refer the minister to his statement to the House yesterday on the pay scandal when he said the only representation to him or his office from an SAS soldier or their family was a phone call from one woman who would not give her name, phone number or details of her situation. I refer the minister to his statement today, now admitting to a number of other representations from members of the Australian Defence Force to him, to the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel and to their offices. Given the critical nature and timing of these representations, how could the minister fail to recall them yesterday, the third day of questioning on this issue? Hasn’t the minister demonstrated either a gross dereliction of duty or unforgivable incompetence? Why won’t the minister do the right thing and resign?

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