Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Today the Guardian newspaper reported that the Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, pressured the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor, Mr Jake Blight, to clarify a so-called ambiguity in a report handed down by his predecessor. Mr Blight then made the clarification. To be clear, the so-called ambiguity was a direct criticism of the Attorney-General.

Mr Blight has confirmed that the Attorney-General's office and even the Attorney-General himself raised this so-called ambiguity with him. Does the Prime Minister think it is acceptable for the Attorney-General of Australia to pressure an independent statutory appointment to censor criticism of a government minister?

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

Senator—through you, President—I don't agree with your assertions about what Mr Dreyfus did. I think that the report speaks for itself. I'm asked what a minister, particularly the Attorney-General, should do. I'd say to you that ministers shouldn't be tipping off the media—or have their office tip-off the media before police raids!

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In other words, you've got nothing else!

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

Senator Cash! Senator Cash!

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

The minister certainly shouldn't be having their office tip off the media before police raids! People who seek to be ministers also ought not be making comments about sensitive consular issues in a reckless and irresponsible way.

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Cash, I've called you three times and you've simply ignored me. You are being disrespectful and disorderly. You've asked your question. Equally, Senator Watt, the interjections across the chamber are also disorderly. Minister Wong, please continue.

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

The decision to clarify the annual report was an independent decision, and the INSLM, the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor, was not subject to any direction from the government. I make the point that the issues in relation to the report, I say to you, Senator, reflect less than well on past holders of the Attorney-General's position.

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

Senator Cash, first supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The National Security Legislation Monitor, Mr Jake Blight, has confirmed the Attorney-General's office and even the Attorney-General himself raised the so-called ambiguity with him. How were the Attorney-General's actions in pressuring an independent statutory officer consistent with the ministerial code of conduct?

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

Senator, they are your words. They are your words.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They're actually Mr Blight's words!

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

Senator Cash, you've asked the question.

Senator Cash, I did call you to order. You've asked your question. I expect you will listen in silence. Minister Wong.

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

I say—through you, President—to the chamber: do not again fall for Senator Cash making unfounded statements in this place. I do not believe those words are an accurate reflection of what has occurred.

I also make the point that this matter in part deals with disclosure obligations to the court by the first law officer of Australia. I make the point that, despite an obligation to do so, the then government—your government, Senator Cash—did not disclose the report known as the Corner report to earlier proceedings. Mr Dreyfus took action, as he needed to, to remedy that position.

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

Senator Cash, second supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, to be clear, the so-called ambiguity being referred to was a direct criticism of the Attorney-General himself. Again, Mr Blight has confirmed the Attorney-General's office and even the Attorney-General himself raised this so-called ambiguity with him. Has the Attorney-General compromised the independence of the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor with his actions?

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

Absolutely not.