Turnbull ducks question on Brough's future

Malcolm Turnbull says Mal Brough has set out to explain his version of events, but won't say whether they have discussed him stepping aside.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Source: AAP

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has declined to say whether Mal Brough has offered to step aside from the front bench.

Mr Brough is facing a police investigation into whether he asked James Ashby, a former staffer of Peter Slipper, to copy the former Speaker's diary.

The special minister of state told parliament last week that he did not make the request of Mr Ashby, despite saying in a television interview last year that he did.

Mr Turnbull told the ABC's 730 program on Monday that Mr Brough had clarified his position in parliament.

"He has set out to explain it," Mr Turnbull said.

"I really don't want to go into the ins and outs of Mr Brough's remarks, but certainly it's an issue we are all very keenly aware of."

Asked whether Mr Brough had offered to step aside, Mr Turnbull said: "I don't want to go into discussions between myself and ministers on this or any other matter."


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world