Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

Can I thank Senator Abetz for following up on his question from yesterday because it gives me an opportunity to point out what was on the news last night. What was on the news last night was very entertaining if you watched the Channel 10 news. Hugh Riminton did an article on what Senator Abetz had been asking me about yesterday. What did Mr Riminton says right at the end? He said, 'I have been talking to a senior opposition spokesperson'. And you know what Mr Riminton said they said? 'We know there is nothing in it.' Given up by your own side, Senator Abetz.

I am not in business and I do not have shares in a company with Mr Obeid like some people in this chamber, but I am not suggesting that there is anything inappropriate in that. But let me be clear about this: I have complied with all the requirements. I reject absolutely the smear from those who claimed they were starting the year with a positive agenda to sell, claimed that they were going to be on the policies, but you were given up by your own side. Senior frontbencher tells senior journalist, we know there is nothing in it. Feel free to keep firing away the questions, because your own side have given you up, Senator Abetz. We know there is nothing in it.(Time expired)