Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. I refer to the Attorney-General's statement in the Senate on Monday that:

On 7 September this year Mr Ian Bruce Bell commenced proceedings in the High Court of Australia against Senator Culleton. These proceedings had nothing to do with the Australian government and the government's only knowledge of them was from reports in the media.

How does the Attorney-General reconcile his statement this Monday with the fact that the Senate received formal notice of the proceedings on 12 September? Was he not aware of that notice of proceedings tabled in the Senate on 12 September?

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

If that is the case, Senator, no, I was not.

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

Senator Gallacher, a supplementary question?

Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How did the government fail to have knowledge of the proceedings in the High Court against Senator Culleton when 30 coalition senators, three assistant ministers, 12 ministers and 10 members of cabinet sit in the chamber in which the notice of proceedings was tabled on 12 September?

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

Senator, if what you say is correct, it does not change the fact that these proceedings have absolutely nothing to do with the Australian government.

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

Senator Gallacher, a final supplementary question?

Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As the first law officer of the nation, why does the Attorney continue to make statements in this place that are designed to mislead the Senate and misinform the public?

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

I have never done that. Unlike you, Senator Gallacher, I must confess that I do not read the Journals of the Senate every morning. If what you say is correct, that is not a matter that was drawn to my attention, nor would I expect it to be.