Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition talked about a 10-year-old donation. Is he suggesting that breaches of the law and breaches of union rules should not be investigated because they're 10 years old? That would be very convenient for the Leader of the Opposition. That would, indeed, be very convenient for the Leader of the Opposition. What we have seen from the Labor Party since that search warrant was executed is an attack on the integrity of the Australian Federal Police. This is what they know as well as we all do: the Australian Federal Police are absolutely independent in their operations. They decide who to investigate and how to investigate. That is a matter for them and so it should be. But we heard yesterday the member for Gorton say: 'The government is using the power of the state to attack its political opponents. The Prime Minister is willing to use the police like his plaything.' They are accusing the Federal Police of acting on political direction. That's what they're doing. It is very, very familiar rhetoric because this is exactly what John Setka said in that notorious speech in Melbourne when he accused the Federal Police of being a political police force and of being political henchmen of the government.

The reality is this: the Labor Party do not respect the integrity of the Federal Police. They are all too ready—

Ms Catherine King interjecting—

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