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 Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Abetz. Will Senator Sinodinos remain stood down until both ICAC anticorruption investigations examining his behaviour, Operation Credo and Operation Spicer, are concluded?

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

Can I correct the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. Senator Sinodinos has not been stood down. Senator Sinodinos stood aside on a voluntary basis, of his own volition—a decision that we on this side regret but respect. As Senator Sinodinos has indicated, it is his intention to continue to perform his duties as a senator for New South Wales and he has also indicated his intention to forego ministerial entitlements during this period.

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

I invite the minister, perhaps on notice, to come back with an answer to the question about whether it is for the period of both Operation Credo and Operation Spicer. My supplementary question is: when did the Prime Minister become aware that Senator Sinodinos's conduct was the subject of two ICAC investigations? Was it before or after he appointed him to the Treasury portfolio?

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

Once again I correct the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate: Senator Sinodinos is not the subject of an investigation; he is a witness who is willing to assist the inquiries in relation to those matters that have been put before it.

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. I again invite the Leader of the Government in the Senate to respond on the question as to when the Prime Minister became aware that the conduct of Senator Sinodinos was the subject of two ICAC investigations? I also ask: given that the Wall Street Journal yesterday was told by the former Assistant Treasurer that he would 'soldier on' rather than stand aside, can the minister advise what new information was disclosed to the Prime Minister that resulted in the Assistant Treasurer vacating the front bench?

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

Once again, a lot of nonsensical supposition in the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate's question.

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

I am quoting!

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

The question was about new information being provided to the Prime Minister's office.

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

So what changed?

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

'What changed?' is the interjection, and I am willing to take it, Mr President, disorderly though it be.

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

Interjections are disorderly!

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

What changed was very clearly Senator Sinodinos coming to his own decision that, for the benefit of the government and for the country, to which he is absolutely committed on the basis of his previous lifelong service to the Australian people, that he would step aside to ensure that the sideshow—

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! Senator Abetz, you are entitled to be heard in silence. On my left! Order! Senator Abetz is entitled to be heard in silence.

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

Senator Sinodinos was concerned to ensure that the sideshow that had developed here would not distract from the fundamental task confronting the government to get rid of the carbon tax, to get rid of the mining tax and get the economy back— (Time expired)