Senator O'BRIEN —My question is to Senator Vanstone, the Minister for Justice and the Minister representing the Attorney-Gener al. Is the minister aware of recent allegations, including by former employees of Fynwest Pty Ltd, that false evidence may have been given to the Industrial Relations Commission by Mr Chris Corrigan of Patrick Stevedores? Why is the Howard government dragging the chain on such serious allegations and what is the hold-up in referring this matter for investigation to the appropriate agency, the Australian Federal Police? Is it a fact that some time ago the former registrar of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission referred to the government matters arising out of the alleged false evidence given before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission?

Senator VANSTONE (Justice and Customs) —I thank the senator for his question. The bottom line is that the question, as I understood or heard it and recollect it, is based on a false premise. The AFP has not in fact received a reference from anyone to investigate allegations against Mr Corrigan and the AFP has not conducted any investigation. Neither I nor the Attorney-General has referred the allegations to which you refer to the AFP. It is not the place of either minister to do that.

Senator O'BRIEN —I ask a supplementary question, Madam President. I remind the minister of the question. I did ask why the government is dragging the chain and clearly that is the case, in response to that. But is it not a fact that the DPP has advised that he is not an investigative agency and does not have the resources to conduct the investigation? Given that, if the minister has not yet referred this matter to the Australian Federal Police for investigation and report, why has she not and will she undertake to do so immediately?

Senator VANSTONE (Justice and Customs) —When you say `dragging the chain', your implication is that it is the responsibility of either minister to be pursuing this matter. I do not have advice as to what the DPP has said, in the form that you repeated here. I do not deny that that may have happened. I simply do not have advice to confirm or deny that. I am aware, as most other people are, through the media that the matter was referred to the DPP. Anything beyond that is a matter for the Attorney-General to respond to. I will ask the Attorney- General to respond to your supplementary question.