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

) ( ): Senator Conroy, in your usual dishonest manner, you have misquoted what Mr Heydon said. Let me read you Mr Heydon's statement in its full:

As early as 9.23am this morning (and prior to any media enquiry being received) he advised the organisers that 'if there was any possibility that the event could be described as a Liberal Party event he will be unable to give the address, at least whilst he is in the position of royal commissioner'.

That is what Mr Heydon has done. That is a very proper thing to have done. It is not at all unusual, Senator Conroy, for eminent Australians, including eminent jurists, to address political events. I happen to have in my hand an invitation to the seventh national conference of the Society of Labor Lawyers for an address delivered by the Honourable Justice Michael Kirby, President of the Court of Appeal of New South Wales—a sitting judge. Do you say that was wrong, Senator Conroy? (Time expired)