5 years ago
ONCE AGAIN CASH AVOIDS SCRUTINY
THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
In Senate Question Time yesterday, Minister Cash once again refused to confirm whether or not she has been interviewed by the AFP regarding the unlawful leak to the media of the Registered Organisations Commission raid on the AWU.
When asked by Senator Doug Cameron if she could confirm to the Senate that she has not been interviewed by the AFP, Senator Cash absolutely avoided answering the question.
SENATOR CASH: “Senator Cameron I have confirmed time and time again this is not an investigation into me or my office, no matter how many times you try to say it is. I have also stated that, as you know, the AFP, has requested public interest immunity in relation to this and I respect what they have requested.”
SENATE QT, THURSDAY, 16 AUGUST 2018
It is absolutely unacceptable that Senator Cash continues to be a minister yet cannot clearly answer whether or not she has been interviewed by the AFP. Why can’t she just tell the truth?
Senator Cash told Senate Estimates last year that her former senior media advisor admitted to her that he was a source of the leak. It seems that the Senator is being too clever with words when she now says that her office is not under AFP investigation.
Unanswered questions remain as to how far this scandal extends regarding the involvement of other Ministerial offices.
The AFP has not yet ruled out whether Minister Cash or Minister Keenan have been interviewed over media leaks of the AWU raids. Nor has the AFP ruled out if either of the ministers have been interviewed as suspects or about their knowledge.
Senator Cash’s conduct is treating the Parliament and the Australian people with contempt.