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. I refer to his answer to Senator Gallagher earlier today. The Attorney has indicated that his office was contacted in January in relation to the Bell matter. I ask the Attorney: who contacted his office in January?

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

I imagine it was my department, but I will check.

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

What was the nature of the contact and what information was passed on?

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

Well, I am not in a position to tell you, Senator, because as I say I had no involvement in the—

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

It was a matter of controversy.

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

It was not a matter of controversy, Senator. It was not a matter of controversy—

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order on both sides!

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

at the time to which you refer. The initiating proceedings in the litigation to which you refer were filed in the High Court on 27 November. Section 78B notices were issued some time thereafter, though I am not in a position to tell you the date. As a matter of routine, when section 78B notices are received, they are considered by my department. I will check as to the nature of the communication about which you inquire.

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

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

Can the Attorney advise what action his office took as a result of that contact? Can he also advise the Senate why it took some three months between his office being advised and him becoming aware of this matter?

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

Well, I said in January and I said my involvement began on 3 March, and so it is not three months. The premise of your question is wrong. But, Senator Wong, when 78B notices are received—which in the normal course of events is the first time at which the Commonwealth would be made aware of litigation to which it had not been joined as the defendant—they are considered and processed by the department. I will check when my office became aware of the 78B notice, if indeed that was the first communication with my office.