Jim Chalmers (Rankin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Treasurer. Why did the Treasurer consider that concerns over ASIC's misuse of taxpayer funds were not significant enough to warrant immediate action when he's just admitted they were brought to his attention more than five weeks ago? Why did he keep the misuse of taxpayer funds secret from Australian taxpayers?

Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The honourable member didn't listen to the last answer, where I detailed—

Government Member:

A government member interjecting—

Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He was too busy shouting, exactly. He's interested in the politics but not the substance of the answer. The reality is on 15 September I received an email from the ANAO, saying: 'The Auditor-General will be writing to you separately under section 26 of the Auditor-General Act concerning payments made to key management personnel. The ANAO is currently working with ASIC on key management personnel disclosures to be included in the annual report and we will write to you once this process has concluded.' As Treasury confirmed to Senate estimates this morning—

Dr Chalmers interjecting—

He doesn't want to listen to the advice of Treasury. As Treasury confirmed to Senate estimates this morning, their advice has been consistent throughout that I should await the letter from the Auditor-General after which they would provide advice, and I accepted that advice.