Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. When did the Prime Minister first become aware that Minister Taylor had an association with Eastern Australian Irrigation, a company registered in the Cayman Islands?

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

I'll have to take that question on notice.

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

Senator Ayres, a supplementary question.

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to Minister Taylor's statements in the House of Representatives that he has disclosed interests in accordance with the rules. Has Minister Taylor disclosed to the Prime Minister any income or other benefit derived from consultancy fees to Eastern Australia Agriculture, Eastern Australia Infrastructure or any of their other associated entities?

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

The Prime Minister has full confidence in Minister Taylor and the fact that he has declared all of his interests consistent with the rules. I will take on notice the other parts of the question.

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

Senator Ayres, a final supplementary question.

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We'll try to get somewhere with this line of questioning. Is the Prime Minister aware of whether Minister Taylor or any of his associated entities or indirect interests received any payments, income or benefit from the $80 million water buyback from Eastern Australia Agriculture?

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

I will take that question on notice. I don't accept the premise of the question, because I'm obviously not necessarily going to accept everything just as fact because the Labor Party puts it here in the public domain in this way. In the context of the question that has been asked, I will see what I can appropriately provide on notice. Mr President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.