Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I note that many across the parliament—past, present, and including Senator Hanson-Young—have used defamation laws at times. The Attorney-General will return to his office informed by the advice of the Solicitor-General around the conduct of those duties. I can't take the first question on notice, to pre-empt the advice and information of the Solicitor-General. But certainly we will make sure that it is transparent to all, once that advice is received and the Attorney returns to work, exactly the procedures that are in place. Where there are duties that need to be fulfilled by Senator Stoker, we have full confidence that the Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General will fulfil those duties fully and with absolute competence and confidence.