Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

No, they are absolutely wrong. As reported by the Cole commission of inquiry, they are completely wrong. The Cole commission of inquiry has found that there is nothing to indict the behaviour of the Prime Minister, the foreign minister, the Minister for Trade and the Deputy Prime Minister. It is the Labor Party that has got egg all over its face on the matter of the Cole commission of inquiry, running around the country and slandering ministers of this government without foundation at all, and has been found to be out of line by the Cole commission of inquiry.

As far as Mr Brooks and Mr Tuckey go, they are also wrong to the extent they suggest there has been any improper behaviour on the part of National Party ministers. They are both wrong. I reject completely out of hand any insinuations made by the member for O’Connor against members of the National Party. They have acted honourably in every respect, as found by the Cole commission of inquiry. I stand by my National Party colleagues in the cabinet and the ministry.