Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The investigation that you are referring to was conducted on behalf of the Department of Finance, and they had that review conducted independently, at arm's length of the government. The minister was rightly not consulted about the structure or the manner of the review. He engaged freely and complied with the request of the Department of Finance at all times, and this was made clear in the department's statement.

The member casts an aspersion on a well-respected legal firm who undertake these matters, as many firms do, for governments all around the country from time to time. What we have from the member opposite is, again, the opportunity taken to come in here, cast a slur on a member in this place on a matter that is being dealt with independently by an investigation and, in the same process, sling mud about at a respected legal firm in this country. Such is the desperation that has gripped the opposition, such is the depth that they've sunk to in their desperation—

Mr Brendan O'Connor interjecting—

See this speech in context