Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Again, I congratulate Senator Ronaldson on reading the paper this morning, but that does not constitute an appropriate question to a minister at question time. I made it very clear to him that the advice from Fair Work Australia is that they have an ongoing investigation into the HSU. I have no intention of interfering in that investigation and I do not intend commen­tating on aspects of that investigation or on matters that may be covered by that investigation. We will not be interfering in the proper functions, under the act, of Fair Work Australia.

Senator Brandis interjecting—

Senator Brandis, you lose your legal aspects when it suits you. Your claims to impartiality and proper process go out of the window when you think there is a cheap political point to be made. Senator Brandis, you ought not interrupt because, on previous occasions, you have argued for proper process. This is proper process; this is a minister refusing to interfere in the investigation of one of his agencies. You may recommend it, but I will not be doing it.