Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Attorney-General, Senator Payne. I refer to Prime Minister Morrison's call to the New South Wales police commissioner about the criminal investigation into the Minister For Energy and Emissions Reduction. A spokesman for Attorney-General Christian Porter has confirmed that he was in the room for the call. Were any notes taken of the phone call? If yes, will the minister undertake to table a copy in the Senate?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Attorney-General was present during the call, and I am unaware of whether any notes were taken or not.

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

Senator McAllister, a supplementary question?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Did the Attorney-General or his office seek any advice about the appropriateness of the Prime Minister's call to the New South Wales commissioner of police? Did the Attorney-General give any advice to the Prime Minister as to the appropriateness of his phone call?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll take Senator McAllister's question on notice.

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

Senator McAllister, a final supplementary question?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister explain how the Attorney-General judged that it was appropriate for the Prime Minister to call the New South Wales police commissioner about a criminal investigation into one of his own cabinet ministers?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given I took Senator McAllister's preceding question on notice, I will also take that question on notice. However, I would note that, as the Leader of the Government in the Senate, the Minister for Finance, has made absolutely clear, what those opposite continue to leave out of their questions and their assertions is that this matter is a result of a piece of correspondence from a shadow minister in the opposition to pursue this matter, and they clearly neglect to include that in any of their assertions.