Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister, and I refer to his answer to my previous question regarding the office of the member for Bennelong. Will he refer the matter involving the office of the member for Bennelong to the Australian National Audit Office, along with the investigation into the office of the Minister for Defence?

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

As I was saying in answer to the honourable member’s earlier question, consistent with the ministerial staff code of conduct, the government staffing committee will examine the staff member’s conduct with reference to the provisions of the code. Secondly, in relation to the contract with the Allen Consulting Group, I am advised that the parliamentary secretary at her office played no role in the procurement process. Additionally, the contract was awarded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Ms McKew, the parliamentary secretary, is sworn to administer the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, not the department engaged in this contracting process.