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Labor set to continue Brough attack

Labor is expected to continue its attacks on special minister of state Mal Brough after devoting all of question time demanding he step down.

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Source: AAP


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With one parliament sitting week left for 2015, Labor is set to step up its attack on special minister of State Mal Brough over his part in the demise of former speaker Peter Slipper.

Labor devoted all question time on Thursday to Mr Brough, demanding he step down while the Australian Federal Police investigation continues.

Mr Brough told parliament on Thursday he had made a full statement about the claims.

"Integrity is uppermost in everything I have ever done and everything I will ever do," he said.

The police investigation centres on whether Mr Brough counselled James Ashby, a former staff member to Mr Slipper, to disclose extracts from Mr Slipper's official diary without authority.

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At that time, Mr Slipper, a Liberal MP, had agreed to be speaker under the then Labor government, a move which improved Labor's position in the finely balance House of Representatives.

The former Speaker was found guilty of dishonestly claiming entitlements but that was overturned on appeal.

At the 2013 election, Mr Slipper's Queensland seat of Fisher went to Mr Brough.

Cabinet secretary Arthur Sinodinos, who voluntarily stepped aside as assistant treasurer when called to the NSW corruption commission over a donation to the Liberal Party, said Mr Brough's case was more like that of Opposition Leader Bill Shorten who was summoned to give evidence at the unions Royal Commission.

"If Mr Shorten was so worried about the standards of parliament, why didn't he stand aside when he knew he was coming before the Royal Commission," he said.


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