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

Thank you, Senator Collins. I have read the Solicitor-General's statement very carefully and I have read the passage from which you have quoted. Senator Collins, I agree with what the Solicitor-General says. It is the case that, to quote him:

… at no time at that meeting did the Attorney-General indicate that he was considering issuing either a legally binding direction concerning the performance of the functions of the Solicitor-General or a requirement that a Commonwealth person or body could only approach the Solicitor-General for advice after receiving the Attorney-General's advance approval.

Senator Wong interjecting—

I agree with that statement, Senator Wong, because at the time of that meeting I was seeking Mr Gleeson's views about the matter. I had formed no view whatever as to what course I would take. That is a view I formed subsequent to the meeting.