Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Reynolds. On what date did the minister first become aware of the allegations of rape made by her former staff member? What action did the minister take as a result?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for that question. Can I just address a couple of the questions that somewhat took me by surprise previously, and I will come to that question, Senator. I've just checked and I can confirm that my second staff member—he was terminated shortly after this incident occurred, and it was for a security breach. I do not recollect any contact I've had with him since then and I certainly cannot recollect doing a reference for him. But, now that this issue has been raised, I'm doing a search of the files just to determine that that is true. But I have no recollection—and I can't imagine any circumstance in which I would. But, again, I will check that.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Absolutely—of course.

An opposition senator interjecting—

He was terminated for a security breach.

An opposition senator interjecting—

He was terminated for a security breach.

In relation to the last question, the dates, Senator, you probably know more about the incidents surrounding the incident itself, as other members of this chamber do, because there's been a parliamentary inquiry into the circumstances of when and how I was told. So I will provide all of those details to the investigation.

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

Senator Sheldon, a supplementary question?

Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On what date did the minister first become aware that the allegations of rape made by her former staff member related to conduct on her couch in her ministerial office? What action did the minister take as a result?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In my answer yesterday and in my answer again today I have gone through those details and, as I've said, all of the detail is now subject to an AFP investigation and at least two other inquiries. So I will be, as I've said, providing all information and assistance to those inquiries.

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

Senator Sheldon, on a point of order?

Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's on relevance. I understand very clearly that Ms Brittany Higgins has said that she is comfortable with these questions being asked. I think it's important that we get to these questions being answered, and there is the capacity for the minister to dutifully answer them.

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

I've allowed you to make that point, Senator Sheldon. I don't think I can rule the minister as being not directly relevant with the answer she has given. Senator Reynolds, continue.

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Noting what the senator has just said, I think it's even more important that we don't politicise that information any further in this chamber. Her trauma was incredibly raw and evident last night, and I think it is appropriate that all of this information is collected by the AFP, who had opened an inquiry into this two years ago.

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order! Order, on my left!

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think that is the appropriate course of action from here on in.

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

I'm going to call Senator Sheldon when there's silence. Senator Sheldon, a final supplementary question?

Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister's former staff member was allegedly raped in the defence minister's office almost two years ago. When was the Prime Minister's office informed, and how; and when was the Prime Minister informed, and how?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, I thank the senator for that question. I cannot speak for the Prime Minister and I understand he's been addressing that. I cannot speak for the Prime Minister and I will not speak for the Prime Minister. I understand your colleagues are asking those questions today in the House of Representatives. All I can answer about and all I can be responsible for is my own conduct, my responsibilities and how I enacted them. I will do that not in this chamber. I will do it as appropriate with the Australian Federal Police. I have provided as much information as I think is appropriate. There will be the forums to do that.