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

Senator Brandis, in his attempt to muck-rake again, seeks to confuse two issues. I made it clear when I referred to what Minister Shorten said yesterday. For the record, I will quote what the Prime Minister said in relation to these allegations, back in November:

My role here was that as a lawyer I provided advice on the incorporation of an association. I was never connected with the operation of any fund, never connected with the operation of any fund. I was not an office bearer of the association, I was not involved in its activities, I was not involved in any bank accounts it may have held, I was not an official of the AWU, I was not in charge of the conveyancing file. So you are effectively asking me why didn't I report to authorities things I did not know.

What Senator Brandis seeks to do is deliberately mix the two issues. What Minister Shorten said about the use of members' money for re-election is absolutely correct.