Senator BERNARDI (South Australia) (15:21): It gives me no pleasure to rise and have to rebut some of the spurious arguments that have been put forward by those on the other side. It concerns me, in fact, not least of all that those who are most vocal in their interjections are the ones who are probably muckraking the most over this circumstance. What we do know is that the Prime Minister of the day will choose those people whom he believes are appropriate for the portfolios in which they will serve the people of Australia. Simply because one of the Prime Minister's chosen ministers is assisting police in establishing the facts and circumstances surrounding the demise of Labor's sleazy own pick for Speaker of the House of Representatives under Julia Gillard's tutelage I think is not cause for alarm. What would be more alarming would be if there were no cooperation taking place, but indeed there has been. The fact that Mr Brough has nothing to hide came through abundantly clear in the 60 Minutes interview, to which those opposite continue to refer. What I do not think is appropriate, and I think the Australian people share my point of view, is politicians acting as judge, jury and some sort of character executioner by standing in this place and using parliamentary privilege to throw down all sorts of smears of which they have no further evidence. We have seen accusations of hypocrisy being levelled before in this space. If I may recall, many of those who are firing the arrows and the bullets from the other side were the same staunch defenders of one Craig Thomson. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator BERNARDI: I am not sure I need to remind you, but I will anyway, for those opposite who continue to chirp and interject, that Craig Thomson has been convicted of using a union credit card for all sorts of expenses that took advantage— Senator Conroy: Mr Deputy President, I rise on a point of order. I understand that Senator Bernardi is uncomfortable defending anybody who has the name 'Malcolm', but could you please direct him to debate the issues in the questions that were asked. Mr Thomson, to whom he is now referring, did not come up in any way, shape or form in question time. I would ask you to bring him back to trying to defend Mr Brough. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Bernardi on the point of order? Senator BERNARDI: I am simply drawing parallels about the conduct of individuals in this parliament versus in the previous parliament, Mr Deputy President. It is entirely relevant. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: I do not believe there is a point of order. Senator BERNARDI: Thank you, Mr Deputy President. As I was saying, there are those who are quick to rush to judgment of a matter and circumstances in the current environment, who are equally quick, and unwisely so might I add, in their defence of Craig Thomson. Mr Craig Thomson was a valuable and trusted member of the Gillard government, as was repeated on occasion after occasion. He was also trusted by the membership of the Health Services Union, although he spent their money on prostitutes and on a range of dodgy expenses, for which he has found himself in the courts. We knew on this side how guilty Mr Thomson was but we chose to let justice play out, rather than rush to judgment ourselves. The difference here is that those on the other side are making accusations while the police are conducting their inquiries. I find this extraordinary. The parliament deserves better than the kangaroo court being levelled by the Labor Party. We have to encourage all members in this place to participate as fully as possible in any police investigation so that they can clear up any abnormalities or misconceptions. While that is taking place, we should be spared from the childish accusations from those on the other side who have suddenly discovered 60 Minutes a year after the program went to air. Not one of them has the character to condemn one of their own. Not one of them has the character to stand up and say what is right and what is wrong. The only thing they are capable of doing is pursuing petty, partisan, political point scoring—the four Ps, for those on the over side. That is because they have nothing else going for them. They do not have a base, a principle on which to stand. The only thing they have is their partisan politics and that is something we need less of in this place. (Time expired)