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

I did see reference to this conspiracy theory, being run by Mr Turnbull, that a group of academics and journalists wrote to Senator Brown with some policy issues. I was a little surprised, because—and I will let you in on a secret—he wrote to me as well. It is my understanding that he actually wrote to a whole range of people. He did not just write to Senator Brown. I am taking a wild guess, but I suspect he may have written to some members of the opposition as well. I certainly received the same letter that Senator Brown received, so I was fully aware of Professor Ricketson's views in these areas. In fact, one of the reasons somebody might be chosen to examine these issues is that they have some experience, training and knowledge in these areas. But I do not believe there was any contact with Senator Brown.