Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:43): My question is to the Minister for Environment and Water. Did the minister brief the Attorney-General before she refused the extension to the royal commission regarding evidence presented to the royal commission on three water purchases authorised by the former minister Barnaby Joyce?

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (14:43): The Attorney-General and I had a number of conversations—in fact, the whole of cabinet did—about the royal commission, as I received regular briefings on its contents as it moved through that period throughout 2018.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens is warned.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: We had those regular discussions. We did not reflect on the conduct of any federal colleagues at any point.