George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I cannot let Senator Ludlam get away with that disgraceful remark. The Australian government does not instruct the Australian Federal Police to go after people. That is an attack on the integrity of the Australian Federal Police. The Australian Federal Police are independent of government. There is no possibility that I, as the minister with ultimate responsibility for the Australian Federal Police; or the Minister for Justice, who has immediate responsibility for the Australia Federal Police; or any other minister could ever instruct the Australian Federal Police to carry out any investigation. It is not possible.

Individuals can make complaints to the Australian Federal Police. When I was in opposition, I made a number of complaints to the Australian Federal Police. The Australian Federal Police treat everyone equally. They treat government, opposition, members of parliament and private citizens—everyone—equally. The suggestion that members of a government could or would instruct the Australian Federal Police and the suggestion that the Australian Federal Police could or would accept such instruction is deplorable.