Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Dyson Heydon AC, QC yesterday confirmed he accepted an invitation to speak at an event, knowing full well that it was organised by the Liberal Party when he was royal commissioner. Don't Mr Heydon's own admissions show that this royal commission has been politicised from the start and that Mr Heydon's commission should be withdrawn?

Mr Sukkar interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Deakin will cease interjecting.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In response to the member's question let me make three points. The first point I make is that Dyson Heydon AC, QC is a former judge of the New South Wales Court of Appeal, a former judge of the High Court of Australia and a judge who has served our country with the greatest distinction and with integrity. Members opposite should be careful about impugning the integrity of such a man.

The second point I make is that the royal commission into union corruption is absolutely necessary, as the facts revealed at that royal commission have shown. Members opposite should be very careful about running a protection racket on a union protection racket. Members opposite should be very careful trying to protect from public exposure their union mates—

Ms Macklin interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Jagajaga was warned twice yesterday.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

who for too long have been ripping off honest workers to protect themselves. The third point I make is that there is a foreshadowed application before the royal commission, and the sorts of points which the Manager of Opposition Business wishes to make could well be made before the royal commission. That is the place for them to be made, should anyone wish to do so.