Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for the question. I understand that the Minister for Home Affairs has been asked this question in the House, but the information that, again, I have before me that I can provide you with is basically what I stated yesterday. AFP Commissioner Kershaw first advised Minister Dutton of Ms Higgins's allegations on Thursday 11 February 2021. This was the first time the minister had been advised of Ms Higgins's allegations. As I advised yesterday, he received further updates from Commissioner Kershaw during last week and this week. He was advised that his office was not aware of Ms Higgins's allegations prior to his briefing from Commissioner Kershaw on 11 February 2021, and, again, I think as I stated yesterday, as senators would know, the handling of allegations and investigation of criminal conduct, including briefing to ministers, is a matter for the AFP.

Further information that I can provide: the minister, as the minister responsible for the AFP, has stated that he regularly receives confidential briefings from the commissioner. He has a responsibility to protect the integrity of investigations and the information discussed in these briefings. He has stated that it was his judgement that he should not disclose the information provided to him, as this was an ongoing operational matter. I understand he has also advised that his chief of staff contacted the Prime Minister's office the next day, on 12 February, following the receipt of media inquiries. And that's the information that I have before me.