THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
E&OE TRANSCRIPT
DOORSTOP INTERVIEW
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA
WEDNESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2018
SUBJECTS: Peter Dutton and the National Integrity Commission; PM's Tasmania comments
MARK DREYFUS, SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL: The Peter Dutton jobs for mates scandal is an excellent example of why it is that so many Australians have lost trust in the political system. And its another example of why Australia needs a National Integrity Commission now. Its an extraordinary thing that Labor has offered to cooperate with the government for many months now in setting up a National Integrity Commission. It would be vastly preferable if a National Integrity Commission was established on a bipartisan basis. It was possible, it seemed that Mr Turnbull might entertain it. The Attorney-General Christian Porter regrettably has now ruled it out, but Mr Morrison is a new Prime Minister and he can make a fresh start on this. And I think its time that Mr Morrison as the new Prime Minister shows some leadership and works with Labor to establish a National Integrity Commission. Its extraordinary that instead of even considering this kind of integrity issue, Mr Morrison is actually running a protection racket for Peter Dutton. There's so much now that's on the public record, particularly his scandalous involvement in making sure that two of his mates have ended up with high-paid government jobs. That instead Mr Morrison is apparently standing with Mr Dutton. He doesn't dare do otherwise. Hes protecting and standing by while Mr Dutton doesn't give straight answers to straight questions. It doesn't explain what hes done in relation to ministerial interventions, he hasn't explained what exactly his role was in ensuring that two of his mates ended up with highly-paid government jobs.
JOURNALIST: Should Dutton apologise for his sexual grooming slur that he made in Parliament yesterday?
DREYFUS: Of course he should. That was an extraordinary bit of behaviour, an atrocious bit of behaviour from a senior minister. What were looking for from senior ministers in the Australian Parliament, in the Australian government, is straight answers to straight questions. His job is to actually explain the way in which he is going about doing his ministerial duty, not to lash out that anyone dare criticises the great Peter Dutton. Whats happened here is a whole range of material is now on the public record. Questions are being asked of Mr Dutton. He apparently doesn't like it, he cant bear being asked questions, so instead of giving the straight answers that are required, he is lashing out all around him. Including behaving very badly in the Parliament yesterday.
JOURNALIST: And how concerning are reports that the Prime Minister called the Tasmanian Treasurer an F*ing mendicant?
DREYFUS: I think were looking for a higher standard of behaviour from the Prime Minister. But that's perhaps the tone we will have to expect from the Morrison government, the Muppet Show that is the Morrison Government. And again I'm quoting the Prime Minister there, just like you were. Thanks very much.
ENDS
