Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. I refer to media reports about interactions between the secretary of the department and the ministers she serves. The minister for immigration was asked about these reports and gave a clear denial. I ask the minister again: did she verbally abuse the secretary, causing the secretary to leave her office in tears?

Clare O'Neil (Hotham, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This question has been asked in a number of different ways. I've answered it in a number of ways, all of which have been accurate. I'd say to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition: I enjoy a very close and warm relationship with the secretary of my department. She is a public servant of decades of standing, serving the national interest in our government. It's why I supported the Prime Minister's decision to appoint her to this position, and we continue that warm and collaborative relationship.