Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you for this sharp and fast question. I think Mr Fassina’s appointment was made when Senator Minchin was the shadow communications spokesperson. I think he even noticed it at the time. In fact, I think he even raised it. There have been some attempts recently to add to the colour and movement in my portfolio area by regurgitating and dragging up Mr Fassina’s appointment. I simply go back to the comments made at the time of his appointment by those from across all parts of the political divide, including Mr Warwick Smith, a former predecessor of mine, who said that he was an excellent appointment, he had worked with him and he was well worthy to be appointed to that position.

So let me be very clear: this was an appointment that was welcomed by those from your side of politics. What we are seeing now is simply an attempt to muddy up a whole range of people who, in Mr Fassina’s case, have not worked for the Labor Party for over 10 years. Equally, we have seen attempts to muddy up quite disgracefully a former staffer of mine.