Senator FAULKNER (Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (2:01 PM) —My question is directed to Senator Ellison, the Special Minister of State. Will the minister refer to the AEC the allegations by an independent candidate in the seat of Cook, Mr Darren Boehm, of an alleged cash for preferences deal with the member for Cook, Mr Bruce Baird? If not, why not?

Senator ELLISON (Special Minister of State) —There have been a lot of articles in the newspaper recently on all sorts of allegations and goings-on. I think that Senator Faulkner could preface his remarks by referring to other articles which deal with the ALP as well. I have seen that article and no-one has raised it with me. If the matter is raised with me, I will take appropriate action.

Senator FAULKNER —Madam President, I ask a supplementary question. Given that the minister regarded it as important to refer to the AEC allegations of an alleged preference deal involving Mr Swan on the same day that those allegations appeared in the media, again I ask: will he undertake to immediately refer the serious allegations involving Mr Baird? Will he adopt the same standards and the same process?

Senator ELLISON (Special Minister of State) —There is no difference of procedure applied to these matters. As Senator Faulkner has raised the matter now and wants me to have a look at it, I will look into the matter and get back to him.