Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Assistant Treasurer, the minister responsible for corporate law and business law and practice. I refer the Assistant Treasurer to his statement to the Senate, on 28 February 2013, in which he said:

I played no role in the awarding of the January 2012 contract to AWH by Sydney Water.

Does the Assistant Treasurer stand by that statement?

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think this question relates to some proceedings which are about to unfold in New South Wales. The Leader of the Opposition may be referring to the fact that the ICAC, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, will hold a public inquiry, commencing on 17 March, in relation to certain affairs of Australian Water Holdings. I am aware of such an inquiry. I am not aware of allegations against me personally.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You were asked a specific question.

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am answering your specific question. And I stand by what I said in the Senate at that time, on 28 February.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Did the Assistant Treasurer write to the chairman of Sydney Water, in August or September 2011, copied to the New South Wales Premier and the Minister for Finance, seeking a meeting to discuss the contractual relationship between Australian Water Holdings and Sydney Water?

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is a matter on the public record, as I recollect. I can get you further particulars after question time, but that is my recollection. In relation to this matter generally, there are not too many more sleeps to go before the issue of the affairs of Australian Water Holdings is properly canvassed in the federal arena. It is in the public arena that I did write a letter; yes, that is correct.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Did the CEO of Australian Water Holdings advise the office of the New South Wales Premier that the Assistant Treasurer would attend a meeting with the New South Wales Premier's chief of staff at Governor Macquarie Tower at 10 am on 28 September 2011 to discuss the relationship between Australian Water Holdings and Sydney Water? Did he attend that meeting?

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

But you weren't Assistant Treasurer!

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Sinodinos, you need to answer that in so much as it applies to your portfolio.

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was going on to say that that was before I entered the Senate or had any frontbench responsibility.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would have thought you would take the opportunity to back your statement.

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I stand by what I said to the Senate, and I have nothing further to add to what is on the public record.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Let's not have any of this faux suspicion. There will be an appropriate opportunity for all these matters to be ventilated, but they go to matters which relate to a period before I was in the Senate.