Michael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Justice, Customs and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to her expressions of complete confidence in the member for Dobell. Has the Prime Minister made inquiries to satisfy herself that she has been provided with all of the information by the member for Dobell in relation to the monetary amount of the gift that he received from the New South Wales Labor Party?

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In response to the member's question, yes, of course I have had a conversation with the member for Dobell. As I expressed in the parliament yesterday I have full confidence in him. I will happily repeat that today: I have full confidence in the member for Dobell.

A declaration was made that is there and transparent. Yes, it is true that it was made late and, as I commented yesterday in this parliament and am happy to comment again, it is not the first late declaration that has ever been made in this parliament—but people should abide by the rules.

Michael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Justice, Customs and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I ask a supplementary question. When was the Prime Minister or her office first consulted about the proposal by the New South Wales Labor Party to make a monetary gift to the member for Dobell?

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Of course, there are assumptions drafted into that question, but I will put those to one side. It is not my intention in this parliament to comment on private discussions I had with the member for Dobell.

Mr Abbott interjecting—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! If the Leader of the Opposition does not want question time we can just go on to something else.