Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask a question under standing order 103. I refer to confirmation from the ABC that the Australian Federal Police 'has been conducting inquiries with the Department of Parliamentary Services in relation to an ongoing investigation'. Has the Department of Parliamentary Services provided any recent assistance to the Australian Federal Police in relation to accessing parliamentary records, including but not limited to records held on parliamentary computer systems and, if so, could the Speaker please advise what assistance was provided and when?

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

I thank the member for Isaacs for his question to me. I will say a number of things. Firstly, I do not comment on police matters and any queries concerning such matters should be directed to the Australian Federal Police. Let me also clarify, in relation to the execution of search warrants more generally, members would be aware that the Australian Federal Police has a national guideline for execution of search warrants where parliamentary privilege may be involved, which has been agreed between the minister responsible for the AFP and the Presiding Officers. Any process for the execution of search warrants in circumstances where parliamentary privilege may be involved would only be done in accordance with the principles of that guideline to ensure that parliamentary privilege is protected.