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

My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Wong. Minister, aside from the briefings provided by former Senate President Ryan, were you aware of any other aspects of sexual assault allegations, or provided with any other information, prior to them being made public on 15 February 2021?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

First, in relation to the briefings or my knowledge, as the former Senate President Ryan has made clear, a number of senators, including me, were made aware of some details of these events as early as 2020. That knowledge firstly related to the retention of CCTV footage, as he had outlined in his statement to the Senate in February 2021. He contacted both Senator Cormann and me on 16 October 2020 to address queries regarding the retention of CCTV footage and to advise that we were undertaking an independent inquiry into the actions of DPS staff, following the receipt of anonymous correspondence and its referral to the AFP. That's what the President told the chamber in 2021.

The statement also makes clear that the President 'did not disclose to those senators any allegations of sexual assault'. As you know, Senator Birmingham, after you were appointed as Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister for Finance, you were also briefed on these matters. The former President's statement provided to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee states that the independent inquiry commissioned by those presiding officers reported to the secretary of DPS on 29 October 2020. I was subsequently briefed on this report and provided a copy, as were you, Senator Birmingham, as Leader of the Government in the Senate. At all times I've sought to ensure that this matter was being appropriately handled by relevant authorities, including by raising this matter with both the President and Senator Birmingham. The President's statement on 1 April 2021 makes clear that the report did not contain Ms Higgins's identity. The details I became aware of, through the briefing process I've outlined, were never made public by me or by others. I believe victims have a right to determine what course of action should be taken in relation to sexual assault. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Birmingham, a first supplementary?

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

Minister, aside from the disclosures made by Senator Gallagher, those briefings provided by former Senate President Ryan or information related to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee's work, were, to your knowledge, any other members of the Albanese government aware of any other aspects of the sexual assault allegations, or provided with any other information, prior to them being made public on 15 February 2021? Can I also ask you, for clarity, to make clear at the end of your answer as to whether you had any other prior information other than the details you just stepped through?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I've outlined the details and the sources of information which I had. In relation to others' knowledge, obviously Senator Gallagher has outlined her knowledge. Her account, as given yesterday, is correct. She kept the confidence in relation to the information she was provided with, including with me.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Birmingham, a second supplementary?

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

Minister, Senator Gallagher has told a Senate committee that 'no-one had any knowledge', yet she did have knowledge. Senator Gallagher told the Senate that she wasn't aware of the full allegations, yet Senator Gallagher refuses to deny advanced receipt of a transcript of the broadcast. Senator Gallagher told the Senate that she did absolutely nothing with the information, yet Senator Gallagher refuses to deny reports she provided suggested questions in response to the information. Minister, isn't it clear that Senator Gallagher has mislead the— (Time expired)

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I reject those assertions contained in that question. I would make the point that Senator Gallagher has provided a statement and answered questions to this Senate, even going to whether or not someone was an old friend. I would make the point also that there are those who did owe the woman in question, Ms Higgins, a duty of care, and those persons still have failed to take responsibility for their action. I—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Please continue, Senator Wong.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, it is a serious statement to make, Senator Henderson, and it is—

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think when those opposite seek to blame everyone but themselves, and, frankly, as Senator Gallagher has outlined, send a message to women around this country that you will be punished if you— (Time expired)