Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. I refer to the minister's previous statement that he had 'no knowledge of the James Ashby affair beyond what I have read in the media'. Prior to media reports, was the minister aware of the attempt by Mr Brough to procure, from Mr Ashby, extracts from the diary of his employer, the former Speaker?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No.

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Prior to media reports, was the minister aware of Mr Brough's statement to Mr Palmer that he needed to destroy the former Speaker?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I was not aware of anything prior to media reports, because, as I said to you in an earlier answer, my knowledge of these matters comes from media reports.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! We were going so well for the first two questions.

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Prior to media reports, was the minister aware that Mr Brough asked Mr Palmer to fund Mr Ashby's legal case?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No.