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 Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Senator Birmingham. I refer to his statement on 24 July 2019 that Mr Taylor 'has always declared his interests'. Does the minister stand by that statement?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To the best of my knowledge, Mr Taylor has declared his interests as required by both the House of Representatives and the Prime Minister's ministerial code of conduct.

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

Can the minister explain why he told the Senate that Minister Taylor has always declared his interests when Minister Taylor has failed to declare his partnerships share in GFA F1 Pty Ltd for over five years?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm not aware of the issue that Senator Wong refers to. I will look into that. I don't take these matters at face value in the Senate chamber, but, if there is further information to update the Senate with, I'll bring it back to the chamber.

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

Can the minister confirm that Mr Taylor has failed to disclose to the parliament a previous shareholding and directorship in JRAT International Pty Ltd, a shareholding in Jam Land Pty Ltd, despite that company being subject to investigation by his own department for allegedly poisoning critically endangered grasslands, and now a shareholding held by his partnership?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I do not take Senator Wong's assertions at face value there. Senator Wong has included in her statements matters that have been clearly dealt with already in relation to subsidiary entities or companies of other bodies. In relation to the issue that was raised in the first supplementary question, as I've indicated, if there's further information, I will come back to the chamber.

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

Mr President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.