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 Cormann. I refer to new evidence in relation to the unauthorised leaking of a Federal Police raid on the Australian Workers' Union offices that discloses Minister Cash's then chief of staff was the source of the leak. Minister Cash's then senior media adviser, when deciding to leak advance notice of police raids, was motivated by an intention to damage the Leader of the Opposition's reputation. The office of the then Minister for Justice was advised prior to the raids commencing by Minister Cash's office, and Minister Cash's then senior media adviser worked with the then Minister for Justice's media adviser to leak the raids to the media. In light of these revelations, has Mr Morrison sought and received assurances from Minister Cash that her statements to the Senate and all of her public statements have provided a full and frank account of her involvement in this affair?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Firstly, the Prime Minister has full confidence in Minister Cash. Minister Cash has been entirely forthright in her public statements in relation to those matters, and, indeed, as she has indicated on a number of occasions, has provided answers to questions based on her personal state of knowledge at that time. Yesterday, in response to questions, Minister Cash again indicated that she stood by those statements. Of course, we also know that this is a matter that is currently before the courts, and, as such, it wouldn't be appropriate for the government to comment any further.

Scott Ryan (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

Is Mr Morrison confident that the actions of Minister Cash and her office in relation to the Australian Workers' Union were appropriate and within the law?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I have already indicated in answer to the first question, the Prime Minister has full confidence in Minister Cash. In relation to some of the other matters that Senator Wong raises, I have absolutely full confidence in Senator Cash. In relation to some of the other—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, on a point of order?

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

The point of order is on direct relevance. I assume my colleague Senator Cormann was getting to it. The question was whether or not the actions were appropriate and within the law. Is that the Prime Minister's belief?

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister has been speaking for 15 seconds—Senator Cormann, on the point of order.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When Senator Wong is asking me for a legal opinion, I believe that that is actually contrary to standing orders.

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

No, I'm asking whether the Prime Minister believes her actions were appropriate.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I've already said the Prime Minister has full confidence in the minister. I have full confidence in the minister—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just to clarify, are we on the answer or the point of order?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the point of order, the minister had been speaking for 15 seconds. I will listen carefully, but it sounded to me like he was coming directly to the points you raised. I can't instruct him how to answer the question, as long he's relevant to part of it.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr President. Firstly, as I've already indicated on a number of occasions now, the Prime Minister has full confidence in Minister Cash. The second point I would make is that it is not consistent with standing orders to ask ministers to provide a legal opinion. The third point I would make is that, obviously, all of these matters that Senator Wong has canvassed are currently the subject of court hearings, which will test all of the evidence and which will make judgments at the end of that process. It is entirely—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Collins, on a point of order.

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

Thank you, Mr President. Can I ask you to remind the minister that that is a matter you ruled on yesterday, in relation to matters currently before the courts.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's not a matter to address a statement the minister is making. There's nothing out of order in what the minister said. There is nothing out of order in the question. He's being directly relevant to the question.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let me say it very slowly again for Senator Collins. No. 1: the Prime Minister has full confidence in Minister Cash. No. 2: I will not be providing legal opinions in relation to the matters that are currently— (Time expired)

Scott Ryan (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

My supplementary question—it is not a question about legal opinion; it is in relation to the Prime Minister's confidence—is this: is Mr Morrison confident that the actions of Minister Cash and her office align with the obligations for ministers under the Statement of Ministerial Standards to act 'through the lawful and disinterested exercise of the statutory and other powers available to their offices'?

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! On my right: I need to be able to hear the questions myself. It is inappropriate to interject to that extent during a question, at all.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to that question is yes. The answer to that question is an absolute Y-E-S yes. There is nothing in the attempted smear and innuendo that Senator Wong and other senators have tried to throw around that in any way contradicts the statements that Senator Cash has made in Senate estimates or in the Senate chamber in relation to these matters. Others might from time to time be making other claims which are currently being tested through a court process. The Senate should be allowing the court process to take its course in the ordinary course of events. There will be a resolution at the end of that process. It wouldn't be appropriate for the government to provide a running commentary in relation to these proceedings.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, on both sides of the chamber!