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 Attorney-General, Senator Brandis, and I refer to statements made by Senator Macdonald in the Senate yesterday in relation to the Solicitor-General, where he stated, 'It makes his position subject to question.' Does the Attorney-General agree with Senator Macdonald that the Solicitor-General's position is 'subject to question'?

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

I did not see or read Senator Macdonald's speech, and I do not comment, as a matter of practice, on speeches that I have not seen or read.

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

Senator Wong, a supplementary question.

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

I again refer to the statements made by Senator Macdonald in the Senate yesterday:

… both the Human Rights Commissioner and the Solicitor-General have allowed themselves to be involved in the political games, and by doing that they have diminished the positions they hold and themselves.

Does the Attorney-General agree with Senator Macdonald?

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

Senator Lambie, as I told you, I have not read Senator Macdonald's speech.

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

I am Senator Wong.

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

Order! Senator Wong, a final supplementary question.

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

Given that the last statutory officer who stood up to the Attorney-General was offered an inducement to resign her position, will the Attorney-General assure the Senate that he has not offered and will not offer the Solicitor-General any inducements to resign his position?

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

Senator Wong, yes, I can give you that assurance, but I also want to take the opportunity to correct what you asserted in your question. It was alleged against me at the time, concerning Professor Gillian Triggs, that I had offered her an inducement, and that matter was, in fact, the subject of a reference—I think by the Labor Party—to the Australian Federal Police, who examined the matter and concluded that there was absolutely no basis to that allegation.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order on my left!

Senator Jacinta Collins interjecting—

Senator Collins, I need to hear Senator McKenzie.