Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Is the minister aware of any conduct that the Environmental Defenders Office has engaged in that would give reason for the government to reconsider the millions of dollars in taxpayer funds the job-destroying EDO receives each year?

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

I think I'm asked whether I assume the minister I'm representing is aware of any problematic conduct, if I may paraphrase. Obviously, the minister has already made public comments in relation, I think, to this matter—certainly, I have on her behalf today and possibly previously. But I'm very happy to get further information on what the minister has engaged in with the EDO and what expectations have been made clear to the Environmental Defenders Office and return to the chamber.

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

Senator McDonald, a first supplementary?

Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How has the government satisfied itself that the taxpayer funded and job-destroying EDO has not been subject to foreign interference and is not in receipt of foreign donations?

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

I'm sorry, I was slightly distracted at the beginning of that question and I apologise for that. If the question is, 'Do we know of any foreign interference in the EDO?' no, I have no information I can provide. In relation to your first question—and I'm indebted to Senator McAllister—I'm advised that this evidence was provided at estimates to your colleague Senator Duniam, as to amendments or new clauses put into funding agreements with the EDO, subsequent to a number of the allegations or issues which have been publicly raised.

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

Senator McDonald, a second supplementary?

Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, my question was—I'm just waiting till you're not distracted. It was: how the government has satisfied itself that this was not the case, not whether or not you were aware. Can the minister guarantee that the taxpayer funding provided to the job-destroying EDO cannot be used to help settle any court cases where it has fabricated evidence and coerced witnesses?

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

First, in relation to foreign interference, we have a very robust system against foreign interference in Australia—I would just make that point. That would not necessarily be required to be regulated through funding arrangements and so forth. We have an overarching system which guards against foreign interference in this country.

In relation to the second issue, as Justice Charlesworth indicated, regarding the sorts of suggestions which you have put forward—the sorts of propositions—I would trust the legal system in Australia to make sure that any evidence that was fabricated—

Honourable Senator:

An honourable senator interjecting—

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

Well, any evidence that was fabricated in the way that you have described. I would trust that a court would have the capacity to recognise that, and that would be something the judgement would have regard to.