Download Fragment

Monday, 12 September 2011
Page: 9622

Member for Dobell

Mr PYNE (Sturt—Manager of Opposition Business) (15:21): My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister detail the inquiries she or her office have made into the almost daily revelations in the media of the misuse of union members' funds by the leadership of the Health Services Union including by the member for Dobell? If she cannot tell the House what inquiries she or her office have made, how can she then assert that the member for Dobell continues to enjoy her full confidence?

Ms GILLARD (Lalor—Prime Minister) (15:22): I am not surprised we have ended up here. My answer to the member for Sturt is exactly the same as it was in the last sitting fortnight, when the opposition was out there trying to profit through smear and mud. I presume we will see it during this sitting fortnight as well. My answer in relation to matters that the member for Sturt refers to is there is a Fair Work Australia investigation in progress. That proper process should work through to its conclusion. I will continue to take that view consistently about Labor members in this parliament and about Liberal members in this parliament. Of course, the member for Sturt, the Leader of the Opposition and the opposition generally are stuck in hypocrisy on this question.