Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Special Minister of State and Scrutiny of Government Waste) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, my question is to the current Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Minister, when and how did you become aware that the taxpayer funded NBN Co was looking to hire a principal of government relations? Did you discuss with Mr Mike Kaiser the prospect of him working for NBN Co before or after you become aware that the company was looking for a highly paid government relations executive?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think, just remembering the Senate estimates testimony, I described—

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just answer it truthfully!

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am just trying to remember what was said then because I want to—

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Abetz interjecting—

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, it is not a problem at all, Senator Abetz. I think Mr Quigley raised with me in a conversation that they were looking for—I am just trying to remember if I am able to identify a date.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I have many, many conversations with Mr Quigley, just like—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am happy to come to that too. I am really happy to come to that. Senator Minchin proudly told the Senate and the Australian people that when it came to the appointment of John Short, he had had many conversations with Mr McGauchie and had no intention of repeating what they were about. But to go to the substance of Senator Ronaldson’s question: if he were to ask me which date, I am not sure I could remember a date. But as both Mr Quigley and I have said, he raised with me that they were looking for someone; I suggested Mr Kaiser’s name. Did I speak to Mr Kaiser first? No, I do not believe I did. I am happy to take that on notice and I am happy to correct that if that is not the case, but I do not actually believe I did.

Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Special Minister of State and Scrutiny of Government Waste) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Of course, that was before the minister very carefully neglected to talk about ‘after’. Can we now assume, given that he intervened in the appointment, that he was also involved in discussions relating to Mr Kaiser’s exorbitant salary package? If not, did he raise his concerns with the company about the size of Mr Kaiser’s salary package given his intimate and clear role in Mr Kaiser’s appointment?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question. I think I have already answered the question about whether or not I knew about the salary. The answer is ‘no’. I understand it is a salary package that is very similar to the salary package that Senator Minchin was able to assist Mr John Short with at Telstra. Let us be very clear: it is entirely consistent with Telstra’s package for its government affairs adviser, the former telco adviser to John Howard, the former Prime Minister of Australia. I think the final part of your question was: did I raise my concerns about it? I only found out about it after. As I said, I had no further communications with Mr Quigley on this matter at all, and the first I knew about it was when they had made the appointment in the lead-up to the announcement. (Time expired)

Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Special Minister of State and Scrutiny of Government Waste) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Given clearly the minister spoke to Mr Kaiser after he became aware of this position, and given clearly that the minister has been involved in this process up to his eyeballs, is he now saying that it is appropriate for him to intervene in the processes of a company that he argues is at arm’s length from government?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Despite Senator Ronaldson’s clumsy attempt to put words in my mouth, as I said, the extent of my involvement has been publicly revealed and repeated here. That answers his question.