Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

When asked, 'Which one do you agree with?' he says, 'Both. Black, white—they're both true.' That is where the Prime Minister got to in question time. But he also said, 'If you want to bring on a debate then let's have it.' So we said, 'Okay; we'll have a debate.' Do they give leave for it? No. And then, when we start to refer to issues in the debate during the suspension, they say, 'You can't do that—oh no. Quick, jump up with a point of order.' Those opposite—their embarrassment is for one reason only: they have been found out, found out by the entire Australian people. There is nowhere to hide for them on this one.

A royal commissioner cannot be a guest at a political party fundraiser. A royal commissioner cannot be a guest at a Liberal Party fundraiser. And those opposite know it. But, disturbingly, their party, back in April, thought this was okay. They have known. The Australian people have found out in the last few hours. Those opposite have known since April, and they never thought it was a problem. They have known since April, and they thought it was fine to continue. Those opposite thought: 'If this is what's going on, that's further proof that this commissioner is doing the exact sort of job that he was appointed to.' That is what they are doing. We have the recommendations that we had from the Prime Minister. He said, 'You appoint someone of this man's standing because you trust to his judgement.' Well, I bet you do, but the Australian people have no reason to trust when what they are given is conflict and bias.

See this speech in context