Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

nator GALLAGHER (—) (): The answer to that is no. I refer Senator Birmingham to the statement that I made to this chamber on the first sitting day of this fortnight, when I addressed this question comprehensively. I can read it out for colleagues across the Senate again. I said:

At Senate estimates on 4 June 2021, the then Minister for Defence, Senator Reynolds, said:

'I know where this started.'

She went on to say:

'I was told by one of your senators two weeks before about what you were intending to do with the story in my office. Two weeks before.'

I was shocked at the assertion made by Senator Reynolds, with the clear implication that I was responsible for or had some involvement with making that story public. That was not true. It was never true. I responded to that allegation by saying:

'No-one had any knowledge.'

I explained that to Senator Reynolds in a wideranging private meeting that night, where several matters were discussed. I informed Senator Reynolds that I'd been given a heads-up about the allegations in the days before they became public, an explanation she accepted at the time, some two years ago. In fact, Senator Reynolds even said so on the record in Senate estimates that same night:

'I would like to say, in relation to the matters raised before the dinner break, Senators Wong, Gallagher and I had a very respectful discussion during the dinner break, and they've assured me they were not involved in that matter becoming public. I accept their assurance.'

I repeat, she said:

'… they've assured me they were not involved in that matter becoming public. I accept their assurance.'

This proves that Senator Reynolds knew that the context of our exchange that evening was around whether I was involved in that matter becoming public—and I was not. Senator Reynolds and Senator Ruston—

who also attended that meeting—

have known that for two years and have never since raised a concern about that with me.