Derryn Hinch (Victoria, Derryn Hinch's Justice Party) Share this | Hansard source

How could the Attorney-General appear here and defend the Prime Minister? The Prime Minister said, 'The High Court will rule in favour,' not, 'As a former successful Skycatcher lawyer, I make that opinion,' as the Prime Minister would be entitled to say. He said 'the High Court will'. Where the heck is separation of church and state when the Prime Minister, on a very sensitive issue which could determine the future of this government, can get up in the House and say 'the High Court will'? As I say, there is separation of church and state. What he said was a disgrace.

The fact is that the member for New England is still there. The Attorney-General stood alongside Matt Canavan as he resigned from the ministry, resigned from the cabinet and said he wouldn't vote until after the High Court, and at the same time we've got the Attorney-General trying to fiddle the books and claim that Barnaby Joyce can stay as Deputy Prime Minister until the High Court decides, which may be three months away.