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

They are getting a little sensitive, aren't they? Senator Conroy is now using the opportunity to wage his own vendettas in the fratricidal ugly world of Labor Party politics. In relation to the first part of the question, I would have to check but I would do recall communicating with Mr Heydon on the occasion when the government approached him to request that he extend the life of the royal commission. Obviously as a matter of courtesy it was necessary to make that request of him. I cannot immediately call to mind at any other occasions when I have spoken to Mr Heydon during the currency of the royal commission, but I will check.

In relation to the second part of Senator Conroy's question, if I understood it correctly and I am sure I did, I am being chastised for failing to interfere with the operation of the royal commission, being chastised for not suggesting to or insisting that the commissioner pursue a certain line of inquiry in a certain way. Well, of course I would not. Anybody who sought to interfere with a royal commission would be committing a crime.