Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is again to the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction. On 24 October last year, in answer to a question, the minister told the House that a document with fake numbers was drawn from the City of Sydney website, but New South Wales police told the New South Wales parliament that they found no evidence that the minister's office downloaded the annual report from the City of Sydney's website. Does the minister stand by his statement to the House? Why won't the minister tell the House where the document came from?

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do stand by the statement I made on 25 October—that the document was accessed from the City of Sydney website.

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

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

Minister, just pause for a second. The member for Shortland and others will cease interjecting. I'm trying to listen to the minister's answer. The minister has the call.

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let me read from the department's evidence, which was made public in January, four months ago: 'The department did ascertain that the City of Sydney's website was accessed by the minister's office on 9 September 2019. The department's system allows individuals to directly print from the website.' This matter was the ninth political referral from those opposite, and, in keeping with the previous eight, the matter was considered and closed, not once, but twice. As the commissioner said, the matter is finalised, full stop. I'm getting on with protecting lives and livelihoods, because I know that a strong Australia coming out of the COVID-19 crisis requires a secure and reliable supply of energy, liquid fuels, gas and electricity. That's what I'm focusing on every day. Those opposite should do the same.