Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Community Services) Share this | Hansard source

I was not present during the complete contribution by Senator Heffernan; I was here for the latter part of it and it is not appropriate that I comment on that. I respect the fact that you have made assertions here and provided that statement as some sort of assertion to this, and you have asked Senator Heffernan to take some action on it. I think you will respect that I take issue about the remainder of my colleagues. I can understand that you or someone takes an issue with a contribution from Senator Heffernan. I find it very confusing that you immediately pass on some assumption that other people have been making allegations. I am not aware of them, either privately or publicly, and the matters that you raise are well outside the scope of the discussion we are having at the moment. I respect the fact that you brought that to the attention of the Senate, but for me to comment any further would be inappropriate.