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

My question is to the Minister representing the Attorney-General. In question time on Thursday, after being asked specifically about when the Attorney or his office was first aware that Dyson Heydon had agreed to be keynote speaker at a Liberal Party event, the minister answered by saying that there had been contact that morning. Given that it emerged on the weekend that the Attorney-General's office received notice on 11 April, why has the minister failed yet again to come into this House to correct the record at the first available opportunity?

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question. The answer I gave last Thursday was in direct relevant response to the question. I am advised the Attorney-General first heard about this through the media. He telephoned the commissioner about 11.30 this morning. The commissioner advised he had already confirmed he will not be attending the Sir Garfield Barwick address. Fact. Secondly, the Attorney-General's electorate office received a save-the-date notice—

Mr Husic interjecting—

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

The member for Chifley will remove himself under 94A. He was warned multiple times.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

on 11 April. The Attorney-General already had a prior standing commitment in Canberra on the day of the event, so his staff automatically declined and apologised on his behalf. The Attorney-General did not see the save-the-date notice.