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 Brandis. I refer to evidence to the New South Wales independent investigation against corruption that showed Senator Sinodinos was a participant in at least one meeting that discussed facilitating the making of prohibited donations to the New South Wales Liberal Party through the Free Enterprise Foundation. Did the Prime Minister ask Senator Sinodinos to provide a full account of his conduct before he appointed him to his cabinet?

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

Senator Wong, as you know, no findings adverse to Senator Sinodinos whatsoever have been made—

Senator Wong interjecting—

and given that you know that—as you have, just across the table, intimated to me that you do know that—it is very inappropriate for you to base a question on an innuendo, well knowing that no adverse finding against the honourable senator was made.

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

Point of order, Senator Wong?

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

My point of order is direct relevance. I referred to the New South Wales independent investigation against corruption. I referred to that evidence and I asked if the Prime Minister had asked Senator Sinodinos to provide a full account of his conduct before he appointed him to the cabinet. A discussion about whether or not there are ICAC findings is not an answer to that question.

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

Yes, I accept that, Senator Wong. Senator Brandis, you have one minute and 35 seconds in which to answer the question.

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

I intend to, but I just thought I should begin by pointing out the inappropriateness and, indeed, unfairness of the premise of the question, when the senator well knows that no adverse finding was made. You are referring to evidence, Senator. Evidence is given in courts, tribunals, commissions and hearings all the time.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Certainly not given here!

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

Order! On my left.

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

All sorts of allegations are made against people all the time, and the fact that the statements are made does not make them true. If they are not supported by a finding by the relevant court, tribunal, commission or board, they amount to nothing. Now, coming directly to your question, Senator Wong, the Prime Minister most certainly was satisfied that, when he invited Senator Sinodinos to be a member of his government, in every respect he satisfied the requirements of the ministerial code of conduct and was a person of integrity, as we all know him to be.

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. Is the Prime Minister aware of findings of the New South Wales Electoral Commission that implicate Senator Sinodinos in the improper channelling of prohibited donations to the New South Wales Liberal Party through the Free Enterprise Foundation? If so, why has the Prime Minister not stood aside Senator Sinodinos from his position as Cabinet Secretary at the apex of his government?

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

Senator Wong, I am sure the Prime Minister knows of no such findings, because there have not been any. I notice you choose to use the weasel word 'implicate'. If you can point to a finding against Senator Sinodinos, point to it, and if you cannot, desist.

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. Through you, Mr President, I note that Mr Abbott stood aside Senator Sinodinos pending the outcome of a New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry considering his conduct. In contrast, Mr Turnbull gave him a promotion. What does that say about Mr Turnbull's ministerial standards?

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

Senator Wong, I challenged you to point to a finding against Senator Sinodinos and you were unable to do so, which is the clearest proof to every man and woman in this chamber that that question should never have been asked. You should be ashamed of it.