Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I can tell Senator McAllister precisely why—because the circumstances are very different. Here is an assessment by New South Wales Police, which has been triggered by a single, politically motivated, partisan letter written by a political opponent, who couldn't get into the Attorney-General's job at an election, so he continues with his serial political smears. He's a serial letter writer anyway. Could you imagine if a letter from Mr Dreyfus became the new test of whether or not somebody can keep their ministerial job? He would be writing even more letters. It's a completely ludicrous proposition. You should reflect on it. One day perhaps the Australian people will elect you back into government. Do you want to expose yourself to the letter writers on this side of the parliament? Do you really think that a job that you may have in the future should depend on whether or not a political opponent of yours writes a letter? That is just ridiculous.