He maintains he never made a deal with Senator David Leyonhjelm to change gun laws, insisting it was the Abbott Government that stopped the importation.
But Senator Leyonhjelm claims the Abbott Government agreed to insert a sunset clause of 12 months on the ban against importing the Adler lever-action shotgun.
He's now been backed by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who's today told the parliament he has made inquiries and is satisfied that the minister for justice made a deal in the full knowledge of the office of the then-prime minister, Tony Abbott.