Brendan Nelson (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister confirm that, on the night of the postponed journalists dinner on 12 December 2005, he stayed in Perth? What was the purpose of this trip to Perth? Did he have any contact with Brian Burke during this time?

Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. My recollection is that it was about the time of the state funeral of Peter Cook, the former Minister for Trade—that is my recollection—and that I was in Perth for that purpose. The Leader of the Opposition is correct. I was, therefore, there on the evening when the original scheduled time for this dinner occurred. I did not attend it. I do not recall having any contact with Mr Burke at that time whatsoever.