Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

Because this is taxpayers' money. This is taxpayers' money and potential misuse of taxpayers' money that we're talking about. All of us in this chamber would agree that every cent of taxpayers' money needs to be accounted for. Unfortunately, what we are seeing is a pattern of behaviour here. We saw allegations about members of the Plumbers Union having their Labor Party membership in Mr Shorten's electorate paid for by gift cards. What we now have is an accusation of fraud from a company which has been used by the opposition leader, Mr Shorten. Mr Shorten and those on the other side—for all their talk, colleagues, in relation to respect of the rule of law—need to stand up now, show that they respect the rule of law and respect taxpayers' money, and provide a full account of what occurred.