Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Public Service and Integrity, upon notice, on 1 November 2011:

(1) Has the Minister or their office had any communication or role whatsoever in the process leading to Senator Crossins questions to the Ombudsman relating to his office and/or immigration matters; if so, when and can details of the communication be provided.

(2) Has the Minister or their office had any role in, or knowledge of, information given to any journalist or other person regarding communications between the Ombudsman and any member of parliament before the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee released the Ombudsmans response to questions from Senator Crossin and/or its consideration of the matter.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Public Service and Integrity has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The disclosure of specific communications between members, senators and their offices relating to parliamentary business or other matters could tend to diminish the capacity of members and senators to properly undertake their parliamentary duties.

(2) No.