Alan Griffin (Bruce, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is again to the Special Minister of State. Further to my previous question: what precisely did Mr Phelps say to Mr Bodel?

Gary Nairn (Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My chief of staff simply ascertained what the conversation was between the AEC and the journalist, whether we were talking about a hypothetical situation or specifically Kirribilli. I will repeat the statement from the Electoral Commissioner, which said:

The AEC takes its integrity and independence very seriously and I want to make it quite clear that no attempt was made by the Government or anybody else to influence the AEC in its response to this issue

The more the member for Bruce asks these questions, the more he is saying he does not believe the Electoral Commissioner.