Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. Can the Attorney-General confirm that Commissioner Heydon first accepted the invitation to speak at the Liberal Party event the Sir Garfield Barwick lecture in April 2014 while holding his position as royal commissioner?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have seen an email exchange which suggests that, but the email exchange—and you did not say this in your question, Senator Moore—indicates that the lecture was to be the 2015 lecture. At the time that invitation was made and accepted, the royal commission was to report by 31 December 2014. So the lecture was to be many months after Mr Heydon at the time expected no longer to be occupied with the royal commission.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Thank you, Attorney. Can the Attorney-General further confirm that Commissioner Heydon reconfirmed his attendance to speak at this Liberal Party event in April this year, despite his term as royal commissioner being extended, as you have said, until December 2015?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have seen an email exchange to that effect, yes. Lest you think there is anything unusual about that, let me read you some words from the inaugural Neville Wran lecture—this is the inaugural Neville Wran lecture, established by the Australian Labor Party:

Yet unlike the British, from whom we otherwise derived so many conventions of political and civic life, Australians tend to observe a highly partisan view of their politicians, even after they have left politics. This is an infantile disorder. We need to grow out of it and acknowledge warmly those who have contributed to our public life.

That lecture, the inaugural Neville Wran lecture, was delivered on 13 November 2008 by the Hon. Michael Kirby, while a sitting High Court judge. Dyson Heydon gives the Garfield Barwick lecture, promoted by the Lawyers Branch of the Liberal Party. Michael Kirby gives the Neville Wran lecture, promoted by the Australian Labor Party. I do not think there is anything wrong with either. (Time expired)

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Thank you, Attorney, for that answer. Can you now advise how last week's statement that the commissioner would be unable to give the Barwick address 'if there is any possibility that the event could be described as a Liberal Party event' is consistent with an email to the commissioner in April last year that advises the lecture is organised by Lawyers Branch, which is formally part of the Liberal Party?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Moore, I do not know if you were watching the royal commission yesterday, but the royal commissioner explained that very clearly, and I accept his explanation entirely.