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

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Senate inquiry into the legal services direction issued by the Attorney-General. Can the Prime Minister confirm the Senate inquiry found, 'The lack of respect that the Attorney-General has displayed towards the Solicitor-General and the state of their relationship prior to the Solicitor-General’s resignation demonstrates his lack of competence to hold the office of Attorney-General'? Does the Prime Minister still support the direction that was issued by the Attorney-General?

Mr Keenan and Mr Pyne interjecting—

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

The Minister for Justice and the Leader of the House will cease interjecting.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Over the years, I think we have all learnt that the honourable and distinguished senior counsel opposite does not hold his counterpart, the Attorney-General, in the highest of regard. Over the years, I have picked up that barristers often have reservations about the talents of each other. Mr Speaker, the Attorney-General has my full confidence. As you know, the majority report was written by his political opponents and should be viewed in that light.